Contractors will start inspecting the Noosa Main Beach Seawall during May to inform designs for a future replacement of the 50-year-old structure.
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 sea wall,” he said.
Mr Walsh said only the design work was funded, with any construction work still a long way off.
“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.
Mr Walsh said there would be no disruptions while contractors NorthLane Engineering Consultants undertake their design investigations.
The current seawall was built during the 1970s and helped protect the Hastings Street precinct from storm tide erosion and severe weather.
“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.”
Mr Walsh said the new designs will improve the existing wall’s strength to boost the precinct’s climate resilience in future.
“This process will give us plans for a replacement structure that is better able to withstand the sort of severe weather and storm tide events we expect to see in future, to substantially boost the heavily trafficked Hastings Street precinct’s climate resilience.
“NorthLane has assembled a specialist team to develop a design, partnering with coastal engineering experts Port & Coastal Solutions and structural specialists OSE Group to balance protecting the coast with preserving Main Beach’s natural character.
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.
