A multimillion-dollar project has strengthened defences against erosion and storm impacts along a vulnerable stretch of beach.
A seawall has been reconstructed at Golden Beach, from Nelson Street to the TS Onslow Naval Cadets site, after the area was impacted by extreme weather from 2021-2022 and the widening Bribie Island tidal breakthrough.
The seawall works, which started a year ago, and improved access features are part of the council’s ongoing approach to safeguarding Golden Beach.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the completion of the project, which had funding of $4.6 million from all levels of government, marked an important milestone.
“Golden Beach is a place our community treasures: families, paddlers, walkers, anglers and visitors all love this foreshore,” she said.
“We’re acting now to protect it so people can continue enjoying this beautiful shoreline for generations.
“This seawall is just one piece of a wider program of coastal adaptation work underway at Golden Beach.
“From Diamond Head to Jellicoe Street, Council is taking deliberate, science‑based steps to strengthen our coastline and manage the impacts of erosion, storm tides and sea level rise.”
Acting Minister Andrew Powell said the project would help to maximise use of the foreshore.
“The Queensland Government is proud to help deliver this project for the community: repairing and protecting the coastline while creating more opportunities for people to get outdoors and be active,” he said.
“Importantly, this investment will help to build resilience against coastal changes and preserve the area for future generations.”
Member for Caloundra Kendall Hatcher said the area was restored.
“I’m thrilled to see this project completed to protect our coastline and support the lifestyle that makes Caloundra such a great place to live,” she said.
“By improving access for swimmers, boaties and visitors of all ages, we’re making it easier get out on the water and enjoy this beautiful part of the Coast.”
Councillor Terry Landsberg said the project reflected the community’s deep connection to Golden Beach.
“Here on the Sunshine Coast, our coastline isn’t just landscape, it’s lifestyle,” he said.
“This project will protect the much‑loved parkland, coastal pathway and esplanade, while giving the community easier and safer access to the water.
“Two new staircases and two 4m‑wide ramps mean more spots for families to swim, launch craft or simply enjoy the passage.”
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Works included a 208m-long rock and concrete stepped seawall, two staircases, an integrated access ramp, upgraded landscaping and improvements to the Navy Cadets boat ramp and adjoining parklands.
To ensure the structure was suited to local conditions, a scale model of the seawall was built and tested at the Manly Hydraulics Laboratory.
Cr Landsberg said this step ensured the design could withstand the forces unique to Pumicestone Passage.
“The modelling confirmed the seawall is fit for purpose and able to be adapted in future if coastal conditions change,” he said.
“Most of the structure uses rock and concrete so layers can be added later if needed.”
The project also included clean‑up and remediation after asbestos-containing material was found on-site in 2023.
“We acted quickly to ensure public safety and prevent further asbestos entering the passage,” he said.
The completed seawall adds to a suite of recent and planned projects strengthening Golden Beach.
Design is underway for Diamond Head coastal protection, including a new seawall, drainage upgrades, sand renourishment, new access points and improvements to foreshore amenities.
Long-term coastal adaptation planning is underway for Golden Beach and Caloundra (Bulcock Beach), with community feedback shaping future concept options.
The Golden Beach Esplanade (Jellicoe to Nelson Street) seawall upgrade has been completed, as has replacement of the degraded geotextile bag groynes with rock structures at Oxley Street, Leichardt Street, Wills Avenue and Jellicoe Street.
Emergency, temporary works have been completed at Diamond Head, to address the immediate impacts of the recent breakthrough event and elevated tide levels, which have created open coast exposure, requiring urgent intervention to stabilise the area and maintain public safety.
Meanwhile, the state government continues to undertake emergency works at nearby Bribie Island and the Pumicestine Passage, to help buffer Golden Beach.
Emergency works have included filling two breakthroughs with more than 1.1 million cubic metres of dredged sand, opening a channel in the Pumicestone Passage and constructing an extensive sand erosion buffer that is now about 5m high, along with a sand fence.
