We’ve had a lot of interest and reports about the recent damage along the Mission Beach foreshore after the latest storm surge and heavy rain. In several spots, newly installed stormwater outlets and beach access paths have been left exposed as the sand around them has been stripped away. Some areas are now fenced off for safety, with concrete sitting above eroded voids.
We’re all rightfully concerned about what this means, not just right now, but into the future. With intense rainfall, water moving through the drains has scoured out the beach profile, while wave run-up and storm surge have removed the sand that once supported these structures. This erosion is likely to keep progressing unless changes are made.
We raised these concerns with Council, including the suitability of the new foreshore infrastructure for such an exposed coastal environment and the damage already occurring following recent storm surge and heavy rainfall. We noted that events like this are expected to become more frequent and that it is concerning to see beach access already restricted despite the works not yet being complete. We also expressed concern about the use of public funds on infrastructure that appears ill-suited to local conditions, and called for Council to seek appropriate coastal engineering expertise, engage with the community, and pursue sustainable, long-term approaches to restoring and managing the Mission Beach foreshore.
We received the following response from Andrew Graffen (CEO):
Thank you for your correspondence and for outlining C4’s concerns regarding the Mission Beach foreshore and the Village Green project. Council recognises the foreshore is a highly exposed coastal environment and appreciates the community’s ongoing interest in ensuring infrastructure is safe, resilient, and fit for purpose.
Council can confirm that the design and certification of the foreshore works has involved appropriately qualified professionals, including RPEQ-certified engineers and specialist coastal/marine engineering expertise. These professionals are engaged specifically because of the unique conditions present at Mission Beach, including storm surge risk, wave energy, erosion pressures, and tidal influences.
It is also important to note that the recent significant weather event and subsequent king tides provided a real-world stress test of the new assets. Based on inspections to date, the primary drainage outlet and the seawall have held up well through these conditions and have performed in line with their intended function. Where localised impacts have occurred (including sand movement, debris deposition, and temporary access restrictions), Council is responding with rectification and maintenance actions consistent with managing dynamic coastal systems.
Council acknowledges the frustration caused by temporary barriers and changes to beach access while the project is completed and any post-event works are undertaken. These controls are in place for public safety and to enable orderly restoration as quickly as practical.
Council will continue to assess lessons from this event and incorporate them into final delivery, maintenance planning, and future coastal resilience works.
Regards,
Andrew
We know that the challenges we are seeing here are not unique to Mission Beach. Researchers, engineers and land managers around the world are working on climate-adapted coastal design, sediment modelling, nature-based infrastructure and hybrid solutions that blend hard and soft approaches.
We want to be part of that conversation and as such are actively engaging with partners and advisors. Our goal is to better understand what is being trialled elsewhere, what the latest research is telling us, and how those insights might be applied here on the Cassowary Coast.
To get involved, connect us or provide expertise, please contact us.