Sunshine Coast Council is set to repair sections of coastline impacted by an influx of more than 8000 athletes and their supporters.
Council workers will restore areas at Alexandra Headland and Maroochydore, in the wake of the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.
Group executive economic and community development Greg Laverty said the nine-day event was a tourism boon, injecting an estimated $15 million into the local economy, but visitors had left their mark.
“Sometimes these events have a temporary and minor impact and we are working as high priority to undertake repairs and remediation,” he said.
“Repairs to parkland turf at Alexandra Headland are expected to start in two weeks’ time, weather permitting.”
He said it was taking longer than expected to address the issue.
“Whenever we purchase materials and services we aim to support and use local suppliers, and unfortunately recent rains have meant our local turf farms haven’t been able to cut as quickly as we – and our community – would like,” he said.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
“Our parks and gardens team is looking at all options, so any damaged park areas can be rectified as early as possible.
“Once the turf is laid, some areas may need to be fenced off to allow it to establish.
“We are also taking on board some very constructive community feedback on how we may be able to better protect the turf during future events.”
The works will be completed as part of the contract arrangement with Tourism and Events Queensland and Surf Life Saving Australia.
A council press release said there was also some minimal damage within the designated dunal environment reserve area and natural revegetation of any minor impacts would occur in the coming months.
Spinifex and beach bean is recovering in other areas along Maroochydore Beach and council has reprofiled the dune at Beach Access 147, where the first aid tent was located.
Mr Laverty also said erosion, as a result of ocean swells, had occurred recently, which resulted in some dunal vegetation loss.
“We will continue to monitor the site for six months to allow it time to regenerate naturally thanks to lots of intact spinifex still on site,” he said.
Like stories that inform, connect and celebrate the Sunshine Coast? So do we. Join an independent local news revolution by subscribing to our FREE daily news feed at the bottom of this article.
