Noosa Main Beach seawall inspected for future upgrades

The Noosa Main Beach seawall will be assessed for potential future refurbishment as the 50-year-old structure continues to serve a vital role in protecting the popular destination.

Noosa Main Beach

Noosa Main Beach is up for an overhaul next month.

The Main Beach sea wall will be inspected by contractors in May as the council seeks to inform designs for a replacement.

The current sea wall is 50 years old and appears whenever the beach sand is washed away, holding back Hastings Street from falling into the ocean due to erosion.

Council’s Infrastructure Services Director Shaun Walsh said developing a design was an important first step in what would be a long-term future project to replace the seawall.

“Beachgoers, restaurant staff and patrons may see some activity around the seawall which is along the back of the beach, as contractors inspect the structure and begin the process of producing a design for a new seawall,” he said.

Only the design work is funded according to Mr Walsh, with any construction work far in the future.

Noosa Main Beach in the 70s

“The replacement isn’t currently part of Council’s funded capital program, but having a design ready to go means we can make cost projections and grant funding applications to help fund any future replacement,” he said.

He said there would be no disruptions to the beach while contractors investigate.

Councillor Amelia Lorentson said the seawall has been quietly protecting Hastings Street for years.

“It’s not just about protecting Hastings Street, it’s about safeguarding an asset that our entire community enjoys,” Ms Lorentson said.

“Having plans means that we can predict costs, seek grant funding and ensure that Noosa stays prepared for future climate challenges.”

The existing seawall is a 1970s piece of infrastructure and defends Hastings Street from storm tide erosion and severe weather.

It was constructed as the Noosa Headlands were essentially doubled in size to create the current “Noosa Woods”, requiring significant earthworks, reinforcing of the land and moving of the river mouth.

Noosa Main Beach before the spit extension

“Many people may not even be aware it’s there along the back of the beach as it’s typically covered by sand, but the important job it does becomes clear when severe weather and storm tides erode the sand, exposing the structure,” said Mr Walsh.

The council is planning ahead for the possibility of increased instances of severe weather and storm tide events and are seeking to “substantially boost the heavily trafficked Hastings Street precinct’s climate resilience”.

Council said any future construction work will be subject to extensive stakeholder and community engagement. 

The design project is jointly funded by Noosa Council and the Australian Government’s Disaster Ready Fund (DRF), which aims to increase the resilience and preparedness of communities, while reducing the risk of harm caused by disasters.

Originally published as Noosa Main Beach seawall inspected for future upgrades