Sunshine Coast MPs blast seawall plans for Mooloolaba Beach

Sunshine Coast MPs have drawn a line in the sand over plans to build a concrete seawall on an iconic beachfront, calling for more public consultation over the works.

Current rock wall at Mooloolaba main beach. Picture Lachie Millard

Sunshine Coast MPs have drawn a line in the sand over plans to build a concrete seawall on an iconic beachfront.

Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace and Maroochydore State MP Fiona Simpson have blasted Sunshine Coast Council’s proposal to build a new sea wall on Mooloolaba Beach.

As part of the council’s plans, a concrete terraced stepped seawall — stretching about 290m, from the surf life saving tower ramp to the pedestrian crossing opposite Mantra Sirocco — will be laid from the existing dunes to within two metres of the high tide area, covered with sand.

The project has received a $7.95m contribution through the federal government’s National Emergency Management Agency Disaster Ready Fund and was approved by the state government’s State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA).

Having returned this week after serving as the federal parliament’s advisor to the UN General Assembly in New York, Mr Wallace said that he was not made aware that Sunshine Coast Council applied for the grant with the federal government.

Artist's impression of the new terraced seawall at Mooloolaba integrated from Brisbane Road to the Surf Club, part of Stage Two – Central Meeting Place and Southern Parkland seawall. Picture: Sunshine Coast Council

“Neither council nor the federal Labor government sought my views as the elected Federal Member for Fisher which includes Mooloolaba,” Mr Wallace said.

“Had either bothered to ask my opinion, I would have asked them what consultation they had undertaken with relevant community groups.”

Current rock wall at Mooloolaba main beach. Picture Lachie Millard

Ms Simpson called for the project to go “back to the drawing board”, urging Minister for the Environment Leanne Linard to step in.

“It’s important that iconic Mooloolaba Beach is not wrecked with an unsightly concrete structure due to a poorly considered plan,” Ms Simpson said.

“I am urgently requesting the Environment Minister not approve Sunshine Coast Council’s proposed seawall and works which interfere with Mooloolaba Beach access and that council put these works on hold until the design goes back to the drawing board for full public consultation of all issues and a better plan is developed.”

Surf life saving tower damage at Mooloolaba after Tropical Cyclone Oswald in 2013. Picture: Sunshine Coast Council

Councillor Peter Cox, who holds the Environment and Liveability Portfolio, defended the current design of the seawall.

“These types of seawalls have been successfully constructed right across the world,” Mr Cox said.

“Outside of significant coastal erosion events, the seawall is predominantly buried under sand but still acts as a protection measure for the landward community assets.”

A Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government, and Planning spokesperson said that the works were assessed and “deemed to comply”.

“The State Assessment and Referral Agency has issued approvals for the coastal works associated with the Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation Project,” the spokesperson said.

“The latest approval was to amend the design of the Central Meeting Precinct to achieve a more integrated outcome.

“Changes included a minor redesign of the seawall alignment.”