Calls are growing louder for Sunshine Coast Council to retain several Norfolk pine trees during a foreshore revamp.
There are growing fears the towering timbers at Moffat Beach could make way for a rebuilt seawall and new-look surrounds, after council could not guarantee their preservation.
Local groups Save The Moffat Beachfront (STMB) and Make Moffat Shine (MMS) have urged officials to save the trees, calling for more community consultation for the works.
Meanwhile, a council spokesperson said the council was committed to ensuring the safety and beauty of the beach.
They said the council was aware of community concerns and would seek the advice of independent coastal engineers to assess what is most appropriate for the location.
Early results from a survey undertaken by STMB indicated a strong desire from locals to keep the pines.
About 97 per cent of the 370-plus respondents said the trees and green space were what they valued most at the beach.
Group coordinator Emma Johnson said members of the STMB group, which attracted 1000 people in about three weeks, were worried about the trees.
“We are all deeply concerned about the potential removal of our cherished Norfolk pines and green spaces,” she said.
“Our mission is to advocate for a seawall redesign that not only addresses structural needs but also preserves the unique character of Moffat Beach.”
She said locals should have more of a say on the revamp.
“We urge them (council) to incorporate meaningful community consultation into their planning for the seawall design, including the seawall and the surrounding environment,” she said.
“We have noted that the council’s website currently only indicates consultation for what is behind the seawall, not for the seawall redesign itself.
“This discrepancy has heightened our community’s concerns about being left out of discussions that directly impact our beloved beachfront and its surfing conditions.
“We are calling upon the council to hold a town hall meeting … where community members will have the opportunity to voice their concerns and suggestions directly.”
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MMS’s John Stark said the seawall replacement plan and possible removal of pines was “a major concern of the community”. Their concerns were exacerbated when a pandanus was recently felled without community consultation.
He said locals should be more involved.
“We do not believe that community input should be restricted to open space design elements behind the seawall, when the seawall itself will have a significant visual impact on the foreshore,” he said.
A council spokesperson said a rebuilt seawall was necessary, and that independent engineers would be called upon to determine the course of action.
“We are committed to ensuring the safety at, and beauty of, our beloved Moffat Beach and we are aware of our community’s concerns about the Norfolk trees,” they said.
“To ensure the longevity and effectiveness of the reconstructed seawall – and the safety of our community and health of the beach – we are seeking the advice of experienced, independent expert engineers who specialise in coastal engineering projects.
“They will use localised data and modelling to assess what is most appropriate for this specific location.”
The spokesperson said the future of the pines was unknown.
“Until such time as this analysis is complete, and the potential implications for the existing open space and vegetation behind the seawall is understood, council will not have sufficient information to make an informed decision on the Norfolk trees,” they said.
“Once the options analysis is complete and we have the consultants’ recommendations, we will update our community.
“We encourage our community to visit council’s website for more information on this project and to subscribe to receive updates.”
The website stated that the western section of the seawall was damaged by severe weather in 2022 and the middle section was damaged earlier this year.
Rebuilds of those sections were due to start next year, subject to design and approvals.
“We want to assure you that we are exploring all options to construct a new seawall that will stand the test of time,” the council stated.
Coastal engineering advice was scheduled to be taken this year. Work to stabilise the seawall was scheduled for July and August.
“You may notice machinery working at the seawall,” the council stated on the project webpage.
“This is to reposition rocks that have become unstable, to prevent the rocks falling onto the beach.
“It won’t fix the wall or lessen the risk of more rocks falling. The fencing will still be required after that work has been completed.”
A total of $4.55 million has been allocated to rebuilding sections of the seawall, including $1.6 million from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority under a Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement agreement for the western section; $150,000 from the Department of Transport and Main Roads for the western section; and $2.85 million through the council’s 2024-25 capital works program budget for the middle section.
State MP for Caloundra Jason Hunt was approached for comment.
His website says council is responsible for the redesign and repair of the seawall, and that the State Assessment and Referral Agency will assess the impacts and suitability of the design when it is formally lodged.
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