Queensland Premier confident Gold Coast beaches can be restored despite delays

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli remains confident Gold Coast beaches can be restored to their former glory despite significant delays to restoration efforts which led to the Pacific Airshow being axed. READ WHAT HE SAID

Premier David Crisafulli says the beach restoration on the Gold Coast is a big job. Photo: Josh Woning

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has faith the Gold Coast’s iconic beaches will be restored back to their former glory despite restoration efforts facing delays.

It comes after the Pacific Airshow, due to be held in August along the Surfers Paradise foreshore, was called off last week due to beach erosion.

On Tuesday, Mr Crisafulli said the beach restoration was a big job.

“There is no concern about them being able to return to their former glory,” he said.

“We all would love to see that happen as soon as possible but it is a big job.”

Dredging along the Coast to pump sand back onto beaches has been delayed due to poor weather, high tides and big swells.

Mr Crisafulli said he hopes some good could come out of the post-cyclone devastation.

“What I’d like to see is not just a replenishment but I’d also like to see a bit of resilience and an opportunity for some of those beaches to go to the next level,” he said.

“I point to Narrowneck as a classic example.

“It’s always been an exposed part of the coastline and I’d like to think as part of this, we can build a bit of resilience and I know (Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate) shares that vision.”

Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate as a dredger pumps sand at Surfers Paradise beach. Picture Glenn Hampson

On Monday Mr Tate said the Pacific Airshow, which was expected to draw more than 200,000 people, was cancelled as council took a safety first approach and wanted to restore sand at all beaches, not just at Surfers Paradise.

“Part of that decision is this – I could have got the (sand pumping) dredge to concentrate on just Surfers Paradise and get the Airshow and have it happen,” he said.

“But what happens there, then you are neglecting some places where our beaches are vulnerable – the northern part of Surfers.”

Originally published as Queensland Premier confident Gold Coast beaches can be restored despite delays