Trees to be removed from Tugun beachfront for Gold Coast seawall construction, Cr Gail O’Neill reassures residents

Multiple trees will be removed from a stretch of Gold Coast sand dunes but the area councillor says they will be replaced “like for like”.

MULTIPLE trees will be torn up along a stretch of Gold Coast sand dunes but the area councillor says they will be replaced “like for like”.

Several trees are being removed to make way for a $2.05 million new stretch of seawall, which will span 200 metres between Wagawn St and Kropp Park.

A post made by a concerned resident on Facebook said the decision to remove the trees was a “massive shame”.

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“I feel like the community wasn’t properly informed about what is happening there,” the post reads.

“I have walked that section this afternoon and at least 13 trees will be killed.

“They are only proposing to replace with 12 trees, these being tubestock (which will) take up to a decade to provide shade.”

A council spokswoman said: “Construction of the seawall will require excavation of the dune system and removal of existing vegetation, including four mature trees.

“The City has proactively collected over 20 juvenile Pandanus trees from the works area which will be used in future dune restoration projects.

“Once the seawall project is complete the dune system will be revegetated with appropriate species common to the Gold Coast.”

Photos shared on Facebook of the trees residents claim will be removed. Photo: Facebook

The stretch of beach will be used for the new seawall. Photo: Facebook

Works will also include a footpath upgrade to the Oceanway’s standard design from Kropp Park to the existing path south of the site.

Division 14 councillor Gail O’Neill said she and members of council’s Coastal Management team had met with residents earlier this month to answer any questions.

“I’m very happy with the project because the seawall is very important, and I’m happy with the management plan,” she said.

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“Some of (the replanted trees) will be tubestock but some of it will be juveniles.

“People have just gone from zero to 100. There’s one sea oak being taken out, the rest is along the dunes.”

The project is expected to be completed in December 2020.

It’s not the first time trees have been removed from stretches of Gold Coast beachfront to make way for the seawall.

Councillor Gail O'Neill. Picture: Jerad Williams

In early 2019 at least 42 trees were removed from the Surfers Paradise foreshore, with now-retired Division 10 councillor Gary Baildon calling the decision “disturbing”.

“I don’t want to see trees lost anywhere but the fact is, these were planted many decades ago, right on top of the seawall,” he said at the time.

“We have to weigh up the value of doing this significant project against the loss of the trees. I am assured that additional trees will be replanted as soon as the project is over.

“I accept some residents see the loss of trees as unacceptable but we needed to remove them to complete the seawall rebuild.”