Future-proofing a much-loved coastal community 

Sunshine Coast Council, in partnership with the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Funding Recovery Arrangements with funding of $6.3 million has reconstructed the seawall from Nelson Street to the TS Onslow Naval Cadets site. 

This area was significantly impacted by the extraordinary weather events of 2021–2022 and the widening Bribie Island breakthrough. 

The upgraded coastal protection works and improved access features are part of Council’s ongoing, strategic approach to safeguarding Golden Beach in the face of a changing environment. 

Protecting Golden Beach today and tomorrow 

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the completion of the project marked an important milestone in Council’s long-term vision to protect coastal communities. 

“Golden Beach is a place our community treasures – families, paddlers, walkers, anglers and visitors all love this foreshore,” Mayor Natoli said. 

“We’re acting now to protect it so people can continue enjoying this beautiful shoreline for generations. 

“This seawall is just one piece of a wider program of coastal adaptation work underway at Golden Beach. 

“From Diamond Head to Jellicoe Street, Council is taking deliberate, science‑based steps to strengthen our coastline and manage the impacts of erosion, storm tides and sea level rise.” 

Acting Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Andrew Powell said the project would help to maximise use of the foreshore. 

“The Queensland Government is proud to help deliver this project for the community - repairing and protecting the coastline while creating more opportunities for people to get outdoors and be active,” Minister Powell said. 

“Importantly, this investment will help to build resilience against coastal changes and preserve the area for future generations.” 

Member for Caloundra Kendall Hatcher said it was fantastic to see the area restored. 

“I’m thrilled to see this project completed to protect our coastline and support the lifestyle that makes Caloundra such a great place to live,” Ms Hatcher said. 

“By improving access for swimmers, boaties and visitors of all ages, we’re making it easier get out on the water and enjoy this beautiful part of the Coast.” 

Division 2 Councillor Terry Landsberg said the project reflected the community’s deep connection to Golden Beach and Council’s responsibility to protect local parks, paths and infrastructure. 

“Here on the Sunshine Coast, our coastline isn’t just landscape – it’s lifestyle,” Cr Landsberg said. 

“This project will protect the much‑loved parkland, coastal pathway and Esplanade, while giving the community easier and safer access to the water.  

“Two new staircases and two four‑metre‑wide ramps mean more spots for families to swim, launch craft or simply enjoy the passage.” 

Works included a 208‑metre-long rock and concrete stepped seawall, two staircases, an integrated access ramp, upgraded landscaping and improvements to the Navy Cadets boat ramp and adjoining parklands. 

A seawall designed to endure 

To ensure the structure was suited to local conditions, a scale model of the seawall was built and tested at the Manly Hydraulics Laboratory. 

Cr Landsberg said this additional step ensured the design could withstand the forces unique to Pumicestone Passage. 

“The modelling confirmed the seawall is fit for purpose and able to be adapted in future if coastal conditions change,” Cr Landsberg said. 

“Most of the structure uses rock and concrete so layers can be added later if needed.” 

The northern section features sandstone‑coloured concrete benches and a 4‑metre‑wide access ramp to improve community access for swimming and water sports. 

The project also included clean‑up and remediation after asbestos-containing material was found on-site in 2023. 

“We acted quickly to ensure public safety and prevent further asbestos entering the passage,” Cr Landsberg said. 

“This work reinforces the importance of staying ahead of coastal hazards wherever they appear.” 

Sunshine Coast Council acknowledges the funding support provided by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and administered by the Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Part of a wider strategy to protect Golden Beach 

This newly completed seawall adds to a suite of recent and planned projects strengthening Golden Beach, including: 

• Underway: Diamond Head coastal protection design, including a new seawall, drainage upgrades, sand renourishment, new access points and improvements to foreshore amenities. 
• Underway: Long-term coastal adaptation planning for Golden Beach and Caloundra (Bulcock Beach), with community feedback shaping future concept options. 
• Completed seawall: Golden Beach Esplanade (Jellicoe to Nelson Street) seawall upgrade with habitat tiles trialled as a living seawall, supported by the QCoast2100 Program and a $300,000 LGAQ grant. 
• Completed: Replacement of the degraded geotextile bag groynes with rock structures at Oxley Street, Leichardt Street, Wills Avenue and Jellicoe Street. 
• Completed: Emergency, temporary works at Diamond Head to address the immediate impacts of the recent breakthrough event and elevated tide levels, which have created open coast exposure, requiring urgent intervention to stabilise the area and maintain public safety. 

For more information on the project and frequently asked questions, visit Council’s project webpage. 

This work supports Council’s strategic coastal management frameworks including Environment and Liveability Strategy, Healthy Coast Management Plan, Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy, and Shoreline Erosion Management Plan. 

Together, these guide Council’s on-ground actions to build a coastline that is healthy, resilient and ready for the future. 

Bribie Island breakthrough and State-led emergency works 

Bribie Island and Pumicestone Passage are managed by the Queensland Government. Council continues to support the State as needed in responding to major coastal changes. 

To buffer Golden Beach, the Queensland Government has undertaken emergency dredging works to address the southern breakthroughs and severe erosion on Bribie Island, delivering significant benefits since late September 2025.