Wednesday, December 11, 2024

10 coastal councils to share in $3.3m erosion fund

Ten coastal Queensland councils are set to share in $3.3 million in funding for projects to protect their communities from coastal erosion, storm tides and the threat of rising sea levels.

The funding is part of the Queensland Government’s $20 million QCoast2100 program.

Delivered in partnership with Local Government Association of Queensland, the QCoast2100 program helps councils prepare and implement coastal hazard adaption strategies.

Environment Minister, Leanne Linard said Round 3 of the QCoast2100 funding focused on nature-based solutions to ensure the risk of coastal inundation is being managed, while also maintaining the natural value and character of Queensland’s coastline.

“We know that climate change is only going to increase the risk of coastal hazards in Queensland, with the sea level predicted to rise by up to 0.8 metres by the year 2100,” said the Minister.

“This means coastal communities will be impacted more and more by storm tide inundation and coastal erosion.

“The QCoast2100 program has been incredibly successful in helping coastal communities to plan for and adapt to the risk of climate change now and into the future through the funding of long-term mitigation strategies and vital on-ground works.

“We are committed to working with the LGAQ to continue supporting our coastal councils to implement works to keep the community safe.”

Projects to receive funding include sand placement works to restore eroded beaches and build dune resilience at South Mission Beach, Bargara and Lucinda; riverbank and estuarine stabilisation works at Noosa, the Gold Coast and Redlands; the relocation of community assets at risk of being lost due to erosion in Seventeen Seventy; and dune revegetation works for erosion management at Mapoon in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

“The QCoast2100 initiative has since 2016 addressed a very real need for Queensland’s coastal councils and communities and the funding it provides will ensure councils are best prepared for these upcoming uncertainties,” said Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive officer, Alison Smith.

“Queensland’s coastal councils are focused on reducing risks, improving the health of our coastlines and working with the State Government to implement these important projects.”

The full list of successful projects under Round 3 of QCoast2100:

CouncilProject descriptionFunding amount
Gladstone Regional CouncilCouncil will relocate critical community infrastructure – a sewer rising main – at Seventeen Seventy under immediate threat from coastal erosion. Pipework has already been exposed and broken and a temporary fix implemented. Relocation landward to the roadway solution avoids construction of erosion protection works and preserves the coastal environment.$500,000
Cassowary Coast Regional CouncilInvestigation of sand back-passing systems to re-nourish eroded beaches in tropical north Queensland. This method has been successfully used in southern areas but is untested technology in North Queensland. The investigation will be of interest to all councils in central and north Queensland$66,000
Cassowary Coast Regional CouncilTo conduct beach nourishment activities to rebuild the beach and dunes on an actively eroding coast to reduce the risks to recreational and road assets at South Mission Beach$263,620
Hinchinbrook Regional CouncilTo conduct beach nourishment activities to rebuild the beach and dune on an actively eroding coast to protect recreational and residential assets at Lucinda Beach. An existing seawall will be extended further inland to reduce end scour risk$300,000
Bundaberg Regional CouncilTo conduct beach nourishment activities to rebuild the beach and dune on an actively eroding coasts in the Bargara area$480,000
Moreton Bay Regional CouncilThis planning project will provide residents in high-risk coastal areas with a framework to improve resilience of their properties. The product will be a property and asset scale adaptation pathway plan which is an innovative solution and may be extended to other areas and councils.$116,000
Noosa CouncilTo address bank erosion in the Noosa River using nature-based solutions, as an alternative to rock walls, to stabilise the ban to reduce the risk to park assets and major roadways$466,330
Redland City CouncilThis project will deliver bank stabilisation in estuarine areas using nature-based solutions for the protection of park land and assets.$469,028
Mapoon Aboriginal Shire CouncilThis project is a dune revegetation project to improve the stability and protection provided by the dunes and prevent further erosion. The project areas are of high recreational, cultural and heritage value to the community.$225,000
City of Gold CoastThis project addresses bank erosion in the Coomera River using nature-based solutions as an alternative to rock walls. The large park area in behind is earmarked for future development of community recreational assets.$486,794

To date, the QCoast2100 program has provided $16.2 million to assist 37 councils to advance coastal hazard adaptation planning.

Further information on the QCoast2100 program is available here.

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