Gold Coast boulder wall: Just 56 per cent of private properties on Coast beaches have certified wall
The Gold Coast should have a continuous boulder wall to protect its beaches. But a new report reveals a shockingly high number of beachside properties are at risk.
Council
Don't miss out on the headlines from Council. Followed categories will be added to My News.
ALMOST half of the private properties fronting Gold Coast beaches lack a certified boulder wall, according to council documents.
A report discussed by councillors in closed session updates on the A-line - the last line of defence for the city’s foreshores – reveals the gaps in stopping erosion from cyclonic seas.
PRIVATE LAND TO BE LOST AFTER BOULDER WALL BUILT
CITY’S GREAT BOULDER WALL DEBATE
Council since the 1980s has aimed to build a continuous A-line along 52km of coastline, apart from the headlands, after erosion hot spots caused public infrastructure to be at risk.
About 30 tonnes of earthmoving equipment in the past week has been deployed to fill in scarping on affected beaches, the worst at Narrowneck and Burleigh, where up to 2m of sand was lost due to wild surfing conditions.
The updated report shows that of the 17.8km of public seawall on the Coast’s entire foreshore, council has certified 10km or 56 per cent.
But of the 8.9km of private seawall, at least 4.2km or 47 per cent is not certified.
An investigation by council officers has found of the 526 private seawalls, at least 215 showed no evidence of certification.
“Based on recent experience, the cost to construct one metre of seawall according to existing designs is approximately $5000, the final figure being largely dependent on sand excavation requirements,” the report said.
Councils are reluctant to fix private property walls for fear of “bias” towards beachfront owners, and the State Government does not want to set a precedent by stepping in with funding.
Aware of the stalemate, Burleigh MP Michael Hart said the added problem was many beachfront owners lacked the funds to fix the walls.
A breakdown showing the worst problem area is Palm Beach where 89 seawalls are not certified with 113 being approved.
The next worst hot spot for potential erosion is from Currumbin to Coolangatta where there is no evidence of 52 seawalls gaining certification. About 57 have been approved.
Burleigh MP Michael Hart told the Bulletin: “It (the work) really needs to be done at the same time. When they (the council) do one section, they need to do all of it.
“I’ve spoken to property owners who are in their 70s and 80s. They don’t have enough money to do the A-wall. They’re asset rich but cash poor.”
SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN FOR $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS
Mr Hart believes a solution is council continuing with its work on Crown land along with neighbouring privately owned sections of foreshore, then billing the property owner “when the house changes hands”.
Coolangatta-based councillor Gail O’Neill said the council was continuing to work on strengthening the A-wall at sections along Tugun and Bilinga.
“When we put the Oceanway in it actually strengthened a lot of the rock wall. We’ve battened up the beach,” Cr O’Neill said.
“Once the residents who live along there were aware of that, they thought it was a great idea. It was another line of defence.”
‘Disgusting’: Inside sad final days of beloved Southport landmark
A beloved Southport landmark for more than 30 years was ripped out by the Gold Coast City Council in a ‘clandestine’ dawn operation which was declared ‘disgusting’: FIND OUT WHY
‘Concerning’: Planning chief’s fear over light rail delay
The Gold Coast’s planning chief has expressed concern over the state government’s review into light rail, warning the ongoing debate could harm the city.