NewsBite

No solution to Palm Beach sand woes until after Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

THE annual dredging and sand replenishment of Palm Beach has begun but a more permanent solution will not be in place until after the Commonwealth Games.

Sand erosion at Palm Beach after a king tide in 2012. Nikki Dee looks over the damage.
Sand erosion at Palm Beach after a king tide in 2012. Nikki Dee looks over the damage.

THE annual dredging and sand replenishment of Palm Beach has begun but a more permanent solution will not be in place until after the Commonwealth Games.

Boats began removing sand from Currumbin Creek to pump to Palm Beach at the beginning of October to ensure the shoreline is ready for what is predicted to be a wild storm season.

But Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate said it will not be until post Commonwealth Games that the proposed offshore artificial reef will be in place.

“After the Commonwealth Games, this if probably our biggest priority,” he said.

Cr Tate said the $20 million reef would be funded over two financial years.

The reef will work by returning sand travelling north to the beach rather than losing it offshore.

Until the reef is in place, dredging work will continue to be an annual event.

“Our $945,000 dredging campaign is an integral part of our efforts to maintain and replenish sand on our beaches ready for summer,” Cr Tate said.

He said he was confident the beaches would be more prepared for stormy weather than ever before.

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/lifestyle/beaches-and-fishing/no-solution-to-palm-beach-sand-woes-until-after-gold-coast-commonwealth-games/news-story/a5f67fe49b5a730efca4edd9937e4e12