A contractor with expertise in marine civil infrastructure has been appointed to transform the foreshore of one of the Sunshine Coast’s most iconic beaches.
It coincides with the release of new artist impressions showing the revitalisation of the Mooloolaba’s foreshore.
Refinements to the project design have also been made, to ensure no net loss of usable beach.
SEE Civil will deliver stage two of the Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation Project, which includes an ocean viewing deck, new beachfront spaces, modern public amenities for people with high support needs, and broader and more accessible walkways.
It also includes a seawall that will replace the current rock structure that dates back to the 1960s, to protect the area from climate change impacts and provide better access and flow between the beach, foreshore and businesses.
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The refined design includes a secant pier construction method for the terraced seawall, reducing its footprint and buried terraces.
A refined deck and pathway alignment has also been utilised, to balance public space and enhance connections between the beach and businesses.
A future sand renourishment program will also be put in place.
Early works across various locations within the project area of stage two – which follows the award-winning stage one, which delivered the Northern Parklands – will continue through to next month.
With a contractor now appointed, Sunshine Coast Council will share information about the construction timing and sequencing over the coming months, including with local businesses.
Stage two major construction works are anticipated to start after the school holidays in mid-July, with an anticipated 20-month construction period, pending weather and site conditions. Disruption through the Christmas periods will be minimised.
SEE Civil recently acquired the civil arm of Hall Contracting, a global leader in civil works based on the Sunshine Coast.
SEE Group chief executive officer Joel Barnes said the acquisition had strengthened the company’s capabilities on the Sunshine Coast where Hall Contracting had built a strong legacy.
“The two businesses are closely culturally aligned and we are excited to welcome the 104 staff into the SEE Group family,” Mr Barnes said.
“Like SEE Group, Hall Contracting is a family-built business with a proud history of delivering quality projects and fostering strong community connections.
“That expertise and local knowledge, along with local employment, will be at the forefront of this project.”
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Environment and Liveability Portfolio councillor Tim Burns welcomed the announcement and said the project built on community engagement and expert input.
“The practical insights of SEE Civil and Hall Contracting, combined with the expertise of council staff, design consultants, coastal engineering experts and community, provided the opportunity to make further refinements to the design and construction approach,” he said.
“By continuing to engage in open conversations with the contractor during the tender phase, and ongoing discussions with our community, businesses and our funding partners, we’ve been able to enhance the project design in a way that benefits everyone.”
The refinements, undertaken over several months, are expected to maximise community amenity, coastal protection and value to ratepayers.
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Cr Burns said the foreshore project was an outcome of the 2015 Mooloolaba Placemaking Master Plan.
“This project is a multiple stage project and it’s great that we can now get going with stage two,” he said.
The council has been working with local traders and the Business Activation Group on implementing the Business Activation Plan to support traders during construction, with a range of events and initiatives now planned.
The stage two Central Meeting Place has received more than $13 million in combined funding from the Australian Government and the Queensland Government as part of the $285.8 million SEQ Liveability Fund, a commitment under the SEQ City Deal.
Assistance for the replacement seawall has been provided by the Australian Government under the Disaster Ready Fund.
