Work is set to start next month to reconstruct the seawall along a popular stretch of foreshore that has been affected by wild weather.
Construction on the seawall from Nelson Street to the TS Onslow Naval Cadets site at Golden Beach is expected to start in mid-June and be completed by early December 2025, weather permitting.
The foreshore was initially impacted by the extraordinary weather events of 2021 and 2022, with subsequent widening of the Bribie Island breakthrough increasing the coastal hazard risk to the site and other parts of Golden Beach.
“This project will protect the valuable park, Coastal Pathway and road near the seawall from coastal hazards,” Sunshine Coast Division 2 councillor Terry Landsberg said.
“It will also provide better access to the water, with overall beach and waterway access increasing to two new staircases and two four-metre-wide ramps.
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“Work will include building a 208-metre-long rock seawall and concrete stepped wall, constructing two staircases and integrated beach access ramp with added landscaping.
“We’ll also reconstruct the damaged boat ramp at the Navy Cadets site, enhance the surrounding parklands (and) improve beach accessibility and the Coastal Pathway along the Esplanade.”
Most of the seawall will be a combination of placed rock and concrete walls, which can be adapted in the future by adding extra layers of rock or higher walls.
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Cr Landsberg said a physical seawall model was built and tested at Manly Hydraulics Laboratory to optimise the design.
“The modelling and testing helped confirm the seawall is designed to be fit for purpose to protect against storms and waves in this location,” he said.
Material containing asbestos was found in the area in 2023, with a cleanup and remediation required.
“This project also aims to further prevent any asbestos from entering the passage, ensuring public safety is maintained,” Cr Landsberg said.
An exclusion zone will be established around the site during construction, with signed detours for pedestrian safety, but the Coastal Pathway, nearby businesses and the beach in front of access 319A will remain open. Some noise and temporary changes to parking are expected.
Work on the Nelson Street to TS Onslow Naval Cadets section follows the completion of seawall reconstruction works between the nearby Jellicoe and Nelson streets.
The project included reconstructing and raising about 80 metres of the existing seawall using grouted rock and installing special concrete tiles that aim to create a ‘living seawall’ with habitat for marine creatures.
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In a press release, the council said it welcomed the state government’s announcement of an independent review of the Bribie Island breakthrough.
It pointed out that Bribie Island is part of a national park, and that Pumicestone Passage lies within the Moreton Bay Marine Park, both of which are managed by the state government. Council said it offers support to the government as needed.
The council is partnering with the Australian and Queensland governments on the latest Golden Beach seawall works, with joint funding coming under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. The Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games is administering the funding.
