A new terraced seawall is set to be built at the Sunshine Coast’s most popular beach.
Construction of the wall at Mooloolaba could start next year.
It would essentially replace the existing 50-year-old wall, which has been a dominant feature in the tourist hotspot.
There are plans to incorporate the new structure into the landscape, providing visitors with a place to sit and admire the views.
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said the wall would also provide the area with improved protection from the elements, amid rising sea levels and climate change.
“(It) will ensure the key business, residential and tourism hub of Mooloolaba is better protected and prepared for future natural disasters,” they said.
“The upgraded seawall will offer enhanced protection of public community land and private assets, and is in line with council’s endorsed Coastal Hazard Adaption Strategy (CHAS).
“This long-term strategy is about managing the impacts of coastal hazards in all areas of the Coast.”
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Council’s CHAS, adopted in 2021, says the tidal range at Mooloolaba is about 2.71m, but extreme weather events can cause considerably higher tides.
The Mooloolaba wave monitoring buoy, installed in 2000, recorded its maximum wave height of 12.1m in March 2004.
It’s not known whether the existing wall would be completely torn down and replaced or whether it would be significantly altered and upgraded in a reconstruction.
The seawall would be part of the multi-stage, multimillion-dollar Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation Project, which was expected to increase new public beachfront by 40 per cent and provide enhanced and accessible community spaces and facilities.
Stage 1 of the foreshore revitalisation, the Northern Parkland, was completed last year and early works for Stage 2, the Central Meeting Place, were in the detailed design phase. It includes the seawall and a new amenities block to replace the iconic Loo with a View.
“Once detailed design is complete, a construction methodology will be developed that will include consideration of residents, visitors and businesses,” the council spokesperson said.
“Community access will remain available to the foreshore, beach and businesses.
“Council will continue to keep the community informed.”
The spokesperson said that comprehensive funding and timing details were “undetermined” although the project website estimates it could cost about $16m for the Central Meeting Place, including the seawall.
“Council is exploring construction and budget efficiencies related to the full extent of the seawall replacement as part of the ongoing investigations and the detailed design process. The outcome of these investigations is not yet determined,” they said.
The federal government’s National Emergency Management Agency recently announced it would contribute $7.95m, via its Disaster Ready Fund, with Sunshine Coast Council making a $8.151m contribution.
The council spokesperson said early construction works on the Central Meeting Place were “expected to commence in 2024, subject to detailed design completion and approvals”.
Maritime Safety Queensland and council also started a dredging and beach nourishment trial in the area late last year, shifting sand from the Mooloolah River mouth to Mooloolaba Beach.
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