Mooloolaba harbour: Sunshine Coast mariner says rock wall extension won’t work

A retired mariner says there’s a fix for the dangerous issues at the Mooloolah River entrance that does not require a sea wall extension. Read what a state MP has to say.

A rock wall extension at Mooloolaba would cause erosion along beaches to the north, according to reports found by a retired sea captain who has navigated countless harbours worldwide.

Captain Gordon Scott was a professional mariner for nearly 40 years and ended his working life on some of the largest super yachts in the world.

He navigated through many harbours including the port of Mooloolaba.

Trawler owners and operators have been left thousands of dollars out of pocket due to the issues surrounding the at times dangerous entrance to the port.

Earlier this year, De Brett Seafood owner Gary Heilmann had to base his large trawlers elsewhere.

Retired mariner Gordon Scott has unearthed reports that state a rock wall extension at Mooloolaba would cause erosion to beaches to the north.

Mr Scott said in a 2015 report for the Australian Coasts and Port Conference, written by the same consultants that have done reports for the Sunshine Coast Council, dredging would have to occur regardless of a rock wall extension.

“The report states that up to 70 per cent of sand would be stopped by the rock wall extension and cause severe erosion on Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland and Maroochydore beaches,” he said.

A retired mariner says an extension to the eastern rock wall is unnecessary. Picture: Lachie Millard

“The report also states dredging will have to occur in perpetuity.”

He said the success of the three methods of dredging proposed in the 2015 report by the consultants remained uncertain.

Mr Scott said an alternative was to use the ocean’s natural northerly sand movement by placing dredged sand from the river mouth 400m northwest via a pipe.

“The current dredged sand discharge location on Mooloolaba spit is building a sand bank off beach access 193 and this is exacerbating the sand shoaling and blockage of the Mooloolah River channel,” he said.

Beachgoers at Mooloolaba spit. Picture: Lachie Millard

“At no time in the history of Mooloolaba Harbour has that channel been blocked completely as it has in 2022.

“There’s always been a deep channel heading in the north-westerly direction even when there’s been shoaling on the end of the eastern rock wall.”

Mr Scott said there was a US-made dredge that could work in any sea conditions, which could be used.

“The purchase of this would preclude any environmental damage, social impacts and cultural heritage impacts of an extension to the eastern rock wall,” he said.

Councillor Joe Natoli said that while the entrance to the port of Mooloolaba was a State Government issue, he hoped it would keep the community close as it explored the fixes required.

“I know the community is totally opposed to a rock wall extension,” he said.

“It’s a state government project and I’m a strong advocate that we need a safe harbour.”

The councillor said the government had “a job on their hands” to ensure the river was safe to exit while not “starving” the beaches of sand.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the conditions at the entrance of harbour were the result of unprecedented weather and swell, which had an impact on the depth of river channels in the region.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey says if there was any easy fix for the harbour entrance, Maritime Safety Queensland would have implemented it. Picture: Sarah Marshall

“Regular dredging takes place when conditions are safe to do so, and boaties are encouraged to exercise caution,” he said.

“If there was a simple solution for the Mooloolaba Harbour entrance, Maritime Safety Queensland would have implemented it.”

The minister said a dedicated stakeholder reference group had been tasked with identifying a long-term solution for the harbour and the environmental complexities that surround it.

“This group includes representatives from the local Coast Guard, commercial and recreational fishing groups, harbour business owners, residents and community groups,” he said.

“We are facing an everchanging situation that Maritime Safety Queensland is actively monitoring to ensure the harbour remains safe and accessible for all boaties.”