A coastal advocacy group is calling on residents to join a rally opposing what it describes as the ‘concrete’ development of beaches across the Sunshine Coast.
Beach Matters will hold its ‘Save the Beach’ rally at 8am on Sunday, August 9, starting at Alexandra Headland Surf Club and finishing at Maroochydore Surf Club.
The group is calling for greater protection of dunes, vegetation and beach environments, while opposing further infrastructure and engineering works it believes are damaging coastal areas.
Formed in 2020 by Alexandra Headland residents, surfers and beach lovers, Beach Matters has more than 13,000 followers and hundreds of volunteers involved in beach monitoring, clean-ups and education.
A Beach Matters spokesperson said the group wanted Sunshine Coast Council to take a different approach to coastal management.
“For five years, the beach community has raised concerns with council, and provided practical solutions that have not been addressed, many of which are now at critical stages,” they said.
“Additional works at Alex and Maroochydore, combined with the neglect of dunes, means this section of beach is now the most fragile, second only to Bribie in the whole of Queensland.”
The group said recent coastal works had added to community frustration, with several beaches experiencing projects at the same time.
“In the past month, we’ve had three beaches under works, either on the beach or foreshore, blocking access and minimising or completely stopping use at the same time,” the spokesperson said.
“Mooloolaba has been under works for a year, Alexandra Headland for a couple of months and Maroochydore for the past month, with more works still to come.”
The spokesperson said the group was also concerned about the impact on the region’s surfing economy.
“Surfing is the only beach activity that doesn’t require council to spend money on beach works, close beach accesses, and there is no negative impact to the community or the environment; in fact, it’s a positive one, as most surfers care about the beach and actively pick up litter.”
Beach Matters estimates surfing contributes more than $21 million annually to the local economy between Alexandra Headland Bluff and Cotton Tree.
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson described the region’s beaches as among its most valued natural assets and said caring for them was a responsibility it took seriously.
“Coastal management means balancing several things at once: protecting the natural beach environment, keeping beaches safe and accessible for our community, and protecting the homes, roads and public assets behind them,” they said.
“How council manages any stretch of coast is guided by coastal science, ongoing monitoring, and specialist engineering and environmental advice.”
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Council said it prioritised natural approaches including dune protection, revegetation and beach nourishment wherever possible.
“Built structures such as seawalls are used more sparingly, where they are needed to protect public safety, beach access and public infrastructure from erosion and storm tide,” they said.
“Both approaches are planned within Queensland’s coastal management framework, Council’s Healthy Coast Management Plan, Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy and Shoreline Erosion Management Plan.”
A Beach Matters spokesperson said it wanted greater focus on dune protection, revegetation, litter management and community education.
Council welcomed community interest in the future of the coastline and said feedback from residents and community groups was considered as part of its planning process.
“We understand the community holds a range of views on where that balance should sit, and we welcome that interest in the future of our coastline,” a spokesperson said.
“Feedback from residents and community groups, including Beach Matters, is considered as part of how council plans and prioritises this work.
“Council will continue to base coastal decisions on evidence, invest in protecting our beaches and dunes, and work with residents, volunteers, specialists and government partners to keep our coastline healthy and resilient.”
