Future of our coastline in your hands

If you love our beaches and coastal areas, now is the time to help protect them into the future.

Sunshine Coast Council is calling for the community to have its say before Friday, November 25, on several draft plans that form part of its integrated and coordinated approach to manage coastal areas.

Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Maria Suarez said Council was acting now to protect our coastline and coastal communities from the impacts of climate change.

“We are exploring solutions to help safeguard our region from the increasing threats of flooding and erosion caused by sea level rise and more severe storms,” Cr Suarez said.

“Our beaches are part of what makes our region special and a great place to live.

“We need to make sure our coastal areas have a healthy natural environment, contribute to our quality of life and are resilient to climate change impacts such as coastal hazards.

An overarching plan for a healthy coastline

The draft Healthy Coast Management Plan is a new plan that for the first time brings together all Council’s priorities to manage our coastline now and into the future, while responding to population growth and climate change impacts.

The plan covers everything from invasive weeds and revegetation activities to placemaking and active transport upgrades in our coastal areas.

Preparing for erosion on our shores

The draft Shoreline Erosion Management Plan 2025-2035 updates the existing 2014 plan. 

For specific locations throughout the next decade, the Shoreline Erosion Management Plan describes processes that influence erosion, identifies Council assets at risk, and outlines Council’s preferred coastal erosion management actions.

Investigations in key coastal areas

Council is also carefully investigating how to manage important coastal areas through Coastal Hazard Adaptation Precinct Planning investigations.

This will be informed by what our community values about these areas and how it uses them.

These investigations aim to identify adaptation options to reduce the impacts of coastal hazards and flooding.

The primary focus will be on long-term planning solutions, but interim measures will also be considered.

Ways to have your say

Visit Council’s Have Your Say website to find out more about the plans and provide your feedback online or at a drop-in session.

Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Tim Burns said feedback from the community would identify what residents valued about coastal areas and their priorities.

“Council is taking an integrated approach and seeking your feedback on these projects to help our coastal communities understand everything happening in the coastal management space,” Cr Burns said.

“Whether you’re a beach lover, are passionate about sustainability or live in a coastal area, this is the time to get involved.

“You can head to a drop-in session in your area for a deeper dive into these plans and investigations, or quickly submit your feedback online through the Have Your Say website.”

Drop-in sessions are scheduled for each section of our coastline:

• Coolum Beach to Maroochy estuary
  • Thursday October 31, 6.30pm - 7.30pm
  • Coolum Surf Club: 1775 David Low Way, Coolum
• Maroochydore Beach to Mooloolaba
  • Wednesday October 30, 6.30pm - 7.30pm
  • Maroochy Surf Club: 34/36 Alexandra Parade, Maroochydore
• Point Cartwright to Shelly Beach
  • Wednesday November 6, 6.30pm - 7.30pm
  • Kawana Island Meeting Place: 1/5 Grand Parade, Parrearra
• Kings Beach to southern boundary
  • Thursday November 7, 6.30pm – 7.30pm
  • Caloundra Powerboat Club: 2 Lamerough Parade, Caloundra.

Find out more about Council’s Coastal Management Program and other activities to maintain a healthy coastline on Council’s website.