New ‘living seawall’ to help protect popular foreshore

A new seawall, built with adaptation to future climate hazards in mind, has been reconstructed at Golden Beach and installed with specially designed tiles.

The project is part of a trial with the University of the Sunshine Coast and the Queensland Government funded QCoast₂₁₀₀ Program to install and monitor a ‘living seawall’.

A $300,000 grant was provided to Council from the LGAQ towards building the new raised seawall and including the living seawall elements.

This new seawall will help safeguard the parkland and footpath from damage caused by storm surges, sea level rise and coastal erosion.

Sunshine Coast Council Division 2 Councillor Terry Landsberg said Council had rebuilt an aged section of the seawall that was degraded and no longer effective, between Jellicoe and Nelson Streets.

“Here on the Sunshine Coast, our coastline is such an integral part of our lifestyle,” Cr Landsberg said.

“This project is one of the ways Council is carefully managing our coastline to protect and preserve it now and into the future.

“With the Sunshine Coast officially recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere, we remain committed to projects such as this, to showcase how we can live harmoniously with nature.”

Minister for the Environment and Tourism, and local MP for Glass House Andrew Powell was happy to support this innovative project in Golden Beach.

“By creating a “living” seawall, we are enhancing the environment while providing safe, accessible pathways so visitors and locals alike can enjoy the spectacular foreshore,” Mr Powell said.

“This is another great example of the collaboration between State and Local Governments delivering for Queensland.”

What’s new at Golden Beach

The project included reconstructing and raising approximately 80 metres of the existing seawall using grouted rock and installing special concrete tiles which aim to create a ‘living seawall’ with habitat for marine creatures.

Council also reconstructed and upgraded the coastal footpath with matching hardwood and stainless-steel handrail, a new stairway to access the foreshore, reinstated the barbecue shelter, benches and a wheelchair accessible binoculars station for locals and visitors to continue to enjoy the views out to Bribie Island and the shorebirds.

“This work to protect the Golden Beach foreshore and community areas is in response to the Bribie Island breakthrough,” Cr Landsberg said.

“The breakthrough has resulted in this part of the foreshore becoming frequently inundated adjacent to the barbecue shelter.

“Council is acting now to protect our coastline and coastal communities from the impacts of climate change.”

A ‘living seawall’ to call home

Council has attached 100 tiles to the side of the Golden Beach seawall to create an enticing home for sea creatures.

Because the constructed seawall surface is relatively smooth, the aim of the ‘living seawall’ tiles is to help mimic the natural coastal habitat, encouraging seaweed to grow and creating a home for fish and other marine life.

The Golden Beach seawall and foreshore project is being completed by Sunshine Coast Council with the support of the Queensland Government funded QCoast₂₁₀₀ Program that is administered by the Local Government Association of Queensland.

For more information on the Golden Beach foreshore works visit Council’s website or subscribe to receive updates via email.

Long-term vision

Sunshine Coast Council is actively preparing for current and future coastal changes.

Council’s long-term strategies and plans focus on sustainable practices for coastline resilience into the future.

• Environment and Liveability Strategy - Sets strategic directions to 2041 for a healthy coastline resilient to climate change impacts and supporting sustainable use.
• Healthy Coast Management Plan - Brings together our coastal strategies, plans and actions to guide how we manage our coastal areas.
• Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy – Outlines an adaptation pathway to help manage impacts of coastal hazards such as coastal erosion, storm tide inundation and expanding tidal areas due to sea level rise.
• Shoreline Erosion Management Plan – Describes key coastal processes, identifies Council assets at risk from coastal hazards and outlines preferred actions to manage coastal erosion.

These long-term strategies guide Council’s daily on-ground actions that play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our coastline for everyone to enjoy.