Ongoing coastal erosion has put the future of Beach Access 252 at Wurtulla under scrutiny, with Sunshine Coast Council undertaking investigations to determine how the popular but steep access point can be stabilised and made safe.
Division 3 Councillor Tim Burns told Sunshine Coast News that the access, which runs through a high dune system near the Kathleen McCarthy Conservation Reserve, had become increasingly difficult to maintain due to storm impacts, shifting sand and the natural shape of the dunes.
“Like much of our coastline, this area has been under pressure from erosion, particularly following major storm events and cyclonic weather,” Cr Burns said.
“The challenge at Beach Access 252 is the height and steepness of the dune system. The current access has a gradient of about 30 degrees, which makes it difficult and unsafe to maintain using heavy machinery.”
Cr Burns said surveys conducted over recent years showed dune movement of up to 15 metres in the area, highlighting the urgency of addressing the issue before further damage occurred.
“Our dune systems are a critical natural defence for coastal communities,” he said.
“Healthy dunes protect areas behind them far better in the long term than many man-made solutions.”
While the access remains open, council has previously attempted to divert foot traffic away from the steepest section using fencing and signage, encouraging beachgoers to use an alternative access point about 60 metres to the north.
However, Cr Burns acknowledged those measures had not been fully effective.
“People tend to stick with the routes they’re familiar with,” he said.
“Even a short detour can be enough for people to keep using the original track, despite the erosion.”
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Minor works have been carried out in recent years, including the placement of geofabric matting, but no major reconstruction has occurred due to the cost and logistical difficulty of bringing machinery several kilometres along the beach.
Council is now undertaking a detailed technical assessment, examining options such as upgrading the existing access with structural solutions like stairs, or realigning the access further north to a more stable section of the dunes.
Any works would require state government approvals, as council manages the dune system on behalf of the state.
“We need to fully understand the environmental impacts, coastal processes, safety issues and budget implications before moving forward,” Cr Burns said.
“Once that work is complete, we’ll take the findings to local residents so they can see the data and understand what options are on the table.”
Community consultation is expected to begin in the coming months, with any agreed works anticipated to be funded in the 2026–27 financial year.
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Cr Burns said there was no intention to permanently remove beach access in the area.
“Our beach accesses are incredibly important to our community,” he said.
“The goal here is to find the best long-term outcome — one that protects the dune system, maintains safe access and reflects the changing realities of our coastline.”
