Mooloolaba foreshore revitalisation project receives $20.4m in funding

The state government’s $20.4m funding commitment to a controversial Sunshine Coast beach project has drawn criticism from a local community group.

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

The state government’s $20.4m funding commitment to a controversial Sunshine Coast beach project has drawn criticism from a local community group.

The funding will go towards the foreshore revitalisation at Mooloolaba, delivering new parkland, improve accessibility, new coastal pathways and meeting spaces, as well as install public art and picnic areas with Wi-Fi and turtle safe lighting.

The revitalisation of the foreshore is also set to include the controversial seawall project, which will span 290m from the surf life saving tower ramp to the pedestrian crossing opposite Mantra Sirocco, and would be half a metre higher than the existing wall.

Rachael Bermingham is the president of the Beach Matters group.

The Beach Matters group president Rachael Bermingham said while funding for the region was welcome, the group opposed the construction of the seawall.

“We’re all for the Sunshine Coast getting funding from the state government for projects as long as it doesn’t sacrifice the beach or negatively impact it,” Ms Bermingham said.

Ms Bermingham said the message from the Beach Matters group remained the same.

“Taking beach land to meet the needs of visitors or develop it for parkland is irresponsible planning and damaging to our beach environment,” Ms Bermingham said.

“As we’ve said for two years now, seawalls should be put under parkland, not on a beach.”

An artist's impression of the terraced seawall planned to provide easier access to Mooloolaba beach with additional places to sit under shade trees.

Ms Bermingham criticised the council’s decision to fail to use natural strategies on the Mooloolaba foreshore.

“You can build a park, pathway, and space for people anywhere, you can’t build a beach. Councils are recognising this now implementing natural strategies over hard armoured seawalls via strong feedback from their communities,” Ms Bermingham said.

“Our council is yet to follow suit and as a result could be eroding and destroying the very reason why people choose to visit, live and invest here.”

The Sunshine Coast Council voted to approve the Mooloolaba seawall project in May last year.

Councillors Terry Landsberg, Christian Dickson and Taylor Bunnag voted against the motion, which was supported by councillors Jenny Broderick, Tim Burns, Winston Johnston, Ted Hungerford, David Law and deputy mayor Maria Suarez.

Both mayor Rosanna Natoli and councillor Joe Natoli were excluded from the decision due a conflict of interest.

A Sunshine Coast Council spokeswoman said work on the project was expected to start next month.

Originally published as Mooloolaba foreshore revitalisation project receives $20.4m in funding