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An innovative project - part of a trial with the University of the Sunshine Coast and the Queensland Government funded QCoast2100 Program – is aimed at providing protection from coastal hazards at the popular foreshore of Golden Beach while also providing a new home for sea creatures.

The new seawall, built with adaptation to future climate hazards in mind, has been reconstructed at Golden Beach and installed with specially designed tiles.

A $300,000 grant was provided to Council from the LGAQ towards building the new raised seawall and including the living seawall elements.

This new seawall will help safeguard the parkland and footpath from damage caused by storm surges, sea level rise and coastal erosion.

Sunshine Coast Council Division 2 Councillor Terry Landsberg said Council had rebuilt an aged section of the seawall that was degraded and no longer effective, between Jellicoe and Nelson Streets.

Cr Landsberg shared “here on the Sunshine Coast, our coastline is such an integral part of our lifestyle.

“This project is one of the ways Council is carefully managing our coastline to protect and preserve it now and into the future.

“With the Sunshine Coast officially recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere, we remain committed to projects such as this, to showcase how we can live harmoniously with nature.”

What’s new at Golden Beach
The project included reconstructing and raising approximately 80 metres of the existing seawall using grouted rock and installing special concrete tiles which aim to create a ‘living seawall’ with habitat for marine creatures.

Council also reconstructed and upgraded the coastal footpath with matching hardwood and stainless-steel handrail, a new stairway to access the foreshore, reinstated the barbecue shelter, benches and a wheelchair accessible binoculars station for locals and visitors to continue to enjoy the views out to Bribie Island and the shorebirds.

Cr Landsberg added “this work to protect the Golden Beach foreshore and community areas is in response to the Bribie Island breakthrough.

“The breakthrough has resulted in this part of the foreshore becoming frequently inundated adjacent to the barbecue shelter.

“Council is acting now to protect our coastline and coastal communities from the impacts of climate change.”

A ‘living seawall’ to call home
Council has attached 100 tiles to the side of the Golden Beach seawall to create an enticing home for sea creatures.

Because the constructed seawall surface is relatively smooth, the aim of the ‘living seawall’ tiles is to help mimic the natural coastal habitat, encouraging seaweed to grow and creating a home for fish and other marine life.

The Golden Beach seawall and foreshore project is being completed by Sunshine Coast Council with the support of the Queensland Government funded QCoast2100 Program that is administered by the Local Government Association of Queensland.

For more information on the Golden Beach foreshore works visit Council’s website 

Image top: ‘Living seawall’ with specially designed concrete tiles at Golden Beach; image centre: New seawall protecting Golden Beach from coastal hazards; Image below: Wheelchair accessible binoculars station at Golden Beach Foreshore

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