An offshore dredge is currently at work replenishing sand on Main Beach as part of a significant $50 million initiative to restore 320,000 semi-trailer loads of sand lost due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred. However, this effort is being undermined by high tides and strong swells that consistently wash away the newly laid sand.
Residents of multimillion-dollar properties along Main Beach are striving to protect their homes as erosion transforms beachfront areas into clifftop landscapes, with current beach widths at their narrowest in 25 years. Tourists, like Jess Symmons from Melbourne, are also facing challenges, with parts of the coastal path now missing entirely, leaving them to navigate around the altered landscape.
Local resident Tony Pound has observed a worsening of erosion, stating, “It seems to be all working, but when they get a big tide or swell, it’s back to square one.” The Gold Coast City Council estimates that it could take up to three years for the beaches to fully recover, while ratepayers have been assessed a one-off levy of $10 to contribute to the cleanup costs.
The Gold Coast already possesses some of the most managed beaches globally, with existing infrastructure like geobags forming artificial reefs to mitigate the effects of large swells. Sand collected at the Gold Coast Seaway is usually transported to beaches during quieter winter months to aid in restoration efforts. Yet, locals are anxious about the potential for further destructive weather before the recovery is completed.
Mark Ellis, a coastal erosion researcher from Bond University, highlighted the ongoing global challenge posed by rising sea levels and increased storm activity, questioning the sustainability of current erosion management methods. He urged discussions on whether coastal properties might need to be relocated or additional green spaces established to combat these issues.
Ellis suggested that the Gold Coast City Council’s Coastal Adaptation Plan may require a faster implementation in response to intensifying climate challenges. “Short term we need to protect what’s there, but looking long-term, we need to rethink how we manage coastal property,” he explained.
As the community grapples with these dilemmas, the need for innovative, forward-thinking strategies regarding coastal living becomes increasingly urgent, as the interplay between nature and habitation continues to evolve.