Expert reveals Sunshine Coast, Noosa beach erosion risk

As beaches across the Sunshine Coast cop a battering from Tropical Cyclone Alfred, an expert has revealed what some areas could lose.

Noosa Main Beach has little turbulence compared to other Sunshine Coast beaches.

As beaches across the coast cop a battering from Tropical Cyclone Alfred, an expert has revealed some areas could lose up to 40m of beach due to erosion.

University of the Sunshine Coast associate professor in physical geography Javier Leon said some beaches could be stripped back to beachrock, creating a “serious risk”.

“At some sites we could be seeing most sand stripped away from the beach with only beachrock remaining and some foredunes being overwashed or inundated,” Mr Leon said.

“This represents a serious risk for infrastructure close or adjacent to these beaches and dunes.”

Cliffs of erosion forming at Maroochydore as Cyclone Alfred continues to approach the coast. Picture Lachie Millard

Noosa Main Beach faces a significant erosion risk from the system, with Mr Leon predicting a loss of up to 20m of beach.

“There are high chances that we will see widespread erosion. Depending on the actual track of TC Alfred, we might see Main Beach Noosa lose up to 20m of beach, with potential overtopping and minor temporary flooding of Hastings St,” Mr Leon said on Wednesday.

“Open beaches along the Coolum to Sunshine Beach stretch might lose between 30-40m of beach, with most dunes eroding up to 3m vertically and some even overtopped.

“I have no detailed information further south but expect a similar trend for Maroochydore and Mooloolaba Beaches. We can also expect significant erosion and flooding at Golden Beach.”

Kids play in the cliffs of erosion forming at Maroochydore as Cyclone Alfred continues to approach the coast. Picture Lachie Millard

The damage could take months or years to recover.

The erosion threat comes as beaches across the Queensland coast cop a battering from Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Despite the wild conditions on open beaches on Thursday the water looked relatively calm at Noosa Main Beach on Thursday morning.

Mr Leon said the waves were currently coming from a south easterly direction, meaning Noosa Main Beach was currently protected compared to open beaches nearby.

Noosa Main Beach has little turbulence compared to other Sunshine Coast beaches.

However, Mr Leon said that could soon change as the cyclone approaches the coast.

“Depending on TC Alfred’s track, we might expect to see large waves at Noosa Main Beach approaching from the north east Friday or Saturday,” Mr Leon said.