Council tackles erosion at Mooloolaba head on

Sunshine Coast Council contractors will set up a work site at Mooloolaba Spit today, ready to install more than 200 sand bags and a pipeline to help bolster the beach against future erosion.

Division 4 Councillor Chris Thompson said $2.2 million has been allocated over the next five years to help protect the area from the Mooloolah River to the Mooloolaba Surf Club

“The first stage, costing $900,000, concentrates on the area adjacent to Urunga Esplanade and will take around six weeks to install,” Cr Thompson said.

“Queensland Transport and the Port of Brisbane Authority are working with council to deliver these defences.”

Manager, Parks and Gardens, Mark Presswell said the project should give Mooloolaba a fighting chance against damaging king tides and storms.

“Around 200 geotextile sand bags, each weighing around 5 tonne, will be installed against the existing dune line,” Mr Presswell said.

“800m of pipeline, buried between the current sand level and underlying coffee rock, will be installed in front of the sand bags.

“A sand dredge located in the Mooloolah River will connect to the pipeline, redistributing around 10000 cubic meters of sand each winter from outside the river entrance river onto the beach.

“Clearing of sand from outside the river entrance will also provide safe navigation for marine vessels entering and exiting the harbour.

“If there is an available sand supply in the channel, the dredge will connect to the pipeline each winter between June and August allowing the steady build up of sand at Mooloolaba Beach.”

A small section of the beach will be closed where works are taking place and traffic measures will be in place throughout the work.

To minimise disruption to the community, council is conducting works in the winter months when the seas are smaller and there are fewer beach users.