Golden Beach foreshore works
Find out about works planned along the Golden Beach foreshore including TS Onslow and Diamond Head.
Work to protect the Golden Beach foreshore is underway as part of the Bribie Island breakthrough action plan. It includes upgrading seawalls, building new beach accesses, raising sections of the coastal pathway and other foreshore works.
The work is being done in stages (see map below):
- seawall construction and foreshore works – TS Onslow to Nelson Street (construction underway)
- seawall construction and foreshore works - between Lamerough Canal and the June Street boat ramp, Diamond Head (planning underway, construction in approximately March 2026)
- seawall and foreshore works – Esplanade, between Jellicoe and Nelson Streets (complete)
- replacement of the degraded geotextile bag groynes with rock structures at Oxley Street, Leichardt Street, Wills Avenue and Jellicoe Street (complete).
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TS Onslow to Nelson Street, Golden Beach
Foreshore works and seawall construction
We are partnering with the Australian and Queensland governments to re-construct the seawall to protect the foreshore from Nelson Street to the TS Onslow Naval Cadets site in southern Golden Beach.
Works are now underway and are expected to be completed by December 2025, weather depending.
The foreshore was initially impacted in the extraordinary weather events of 2021 and 2022, with subsequent widening of the Bribie Island breakthrough increasing the coastal hazard risk to the site and other parts of Golden Beach.
This project will protect the valuable park, coastal pathway and road near the seawall from coastal hazards.
It will provide better access to the water, with overall beach and waterway access increasing to two new staircases and two 4-metre-wide ramps.
Work will include building a 208-metre-long rock seawall and concrete stepped wall, constructing two staircases and integrated beach access ramp with added landscaping.
We’ll also reconstruct the damaged boat ramp at the Navy Cadets site, enhance the surrounding parklands, improve beach accessibility and the coastal pathway along the Esplanade. This will also include steps to manage the material containing asbestos found on some sections of the TS Onslow site.
Artist impression only: new reconstructed boat ramp and new seawall being constructed to protect the foreshore from Nelson Street to the TS Onslow Naval Cadets site in southern Golden Beach.
Artist impression only - new reconstructed boat ramp at TS Onslow Naval Cadets site in Golden Beach.
Artist impression only: new seawall being constructed to protect the foreshore from Nelson Street to the TS Onslow Naval Cadets site in southern Golden Beach.
A seawall fit for purpose
We have received development approval and completed detailed design and testing.
A physical seawall model was built and tested at Manly Hydraulics Laboratory to optimise the design to make sure it was the most suitable size for this location.
The modelling and testing helped to confirm the seawall is designed to be fit for purpose to protect against storms and waves in this location.
Council is working with the successful tenderer, Australian Marine and Civil.
What to expect
Works are now underway and are expected to be completed by December 2025, weather depending.
An exclusion zone has been established around the site for public safety, with signed detours for pedestrian safety.
You will still be able to enjoy the coastal pathway and the beach heading north from Beach Access 319a (Chill Café 89), and access businesses nearby, and south from TS Onslow navy cadets.
Be aware there’ll be some noise from the works and when rock and materials are delivered.
A section of Esplanade will revert to one-way from 23 June to December to safely manage access for vehicles and pedestrians (from Chill Café 89 to Onslow Street) and parking restrictions are now in place.
A section of seawall will be a combination of placed rock and concrete wall as this design can be adapted in the future by adding extra layers of rock or higher walls. New stairs will provide beach access from the park over the seawall.
The northern section will feature sandstone-coloured concrete benches (bleachers) with a 4-metre-wide beach access ramp, which will provide excellent beach accessibility for our community. The benches are like giant stairs and are designed to be used as a gathering space with wide open seating for many people.
This is a complex project which requires careful consideration of the potential future impacts of the tidal breakthrough at Bribie Island and in the Pumicestone Passage.
Material containing asbestos was found in 2023 and a cleanup and remediation project was initiated.
This project also aims to further prevent any asbestos from entering the passage, ensuring public safety is maintained.
The TS Onslow site is owned by the Queensland Government and leased by the Navy Cadets. Sunshine Coast Council is leading the project team and working closely with both parties to progress this critical reconstruction scheme.
Sunshine Coast Council would like to acknowledge the funding allocation being jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. The Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games are administering the disaster funding.
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Why is this work needed?
Why is this work needed?
Our actions focus on protecting Golden Beach foreshore as well as the important community areas like roads, parks, and playgrounds.
The foreshore was initially impacted in the extraordinary weather events of 2021 and 2022.
Conditions at the site deteriorated quickly and erosion along the area subsequently followed due to a lack of protection along this foreshore.
Subsequent widening of the Bribie Island breakthrough has also increased the risk to the TS Onslow site and other parts of Golden Beach to coastal hazards.
Material containing asbestos was also found in 2023 and a cleanup and remediation project was initiated.
This project aims to further prevent any asbestos from entering the passage, ensuring public safety is maintained.
A seawall will help to “cap” this material and also prevent erosion along the foreshore.
It also aims to reconstruct the damaged boat ramp at the Navy Cadets site and improve the parklands and beach accessibility.
Surrounding infrastructure such as roads, electricity water and sewerage infrastructure will also be protected by building a new seawall.
What is the scope of this project?
What is the scope of this project?
As part of this project, we plan to:
- construct a new 170-metre seawall from the northern extent of the site down to the mangroves south of the site
- construct a new 4-metre-wide pedestrian and vehicle ramp at the northern end of the site with terraces to allow for seating and viewing
- reconstruct the damaged boat ramp at the Navy Cadets site along with minor landscaping and improvements to the open space
- retain and preserve the beach area, and push sand back over the base of the new seawall, ramps and stairs
- remove the old foreshore protection structures in front of the TS Onslow site, such as the large concrete blocks
- upgrade a stormwater pipe within the small geosynthetic bag groyne to a large rock type structure, fitted with a duckbill backflow device, to prevent sand blockages and nuisance flooding in future years.
When will construction begin?
When will construction begin?
Work is now underway and is expected to be completed by December 31, 2025, weather permitting.
We will provide more information about the construction schedule and what this means for you soon.
What can I expect during works?
What can I expect during works?
Initially there will be removal of the old concrete blocks and boat ramp along with clearing some vegetation that is in the seawall footprint.
Following this expect large machines onsite to build the seawall and truck movements to bring in materials.
Pile drilling will also be conducted around the benches area.
Works are expected to take place 6.30am-6pm Monday to Friday.
In occasional circumstances slightly earlier or longer working times may be required along with occasional Saturday work.
We aim to keep this practice to a minimum and allow this only when necessary.
How is the work being funded?
How is the work being funded?
Sunshine Coast Council would like to acknowledge the funding allocation being jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
The Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games are administering the disaster funding.
Australian Marine and Civil (AMC) was the successful tenderer.
Who designed the project?
Who designed the project?
Royal Haskoning DHV was the lead consultant for design and permits. Manly Hydraulics Laboratories (MHL) was engaged to perform physical modelling to test for wave overtopping and structure damage on the proposed design.
Will I still be able to use the beach?
Will I still be able to use the beach?
The beach in front of BA319a will remain open, with signed detours in place for pedestrian safety where required.
There will be an exclusion zone around the site to keep members of the public safe.
A new beach staircase will be built at the centre of the TS Onslow site.
Overall beach/waterway access has increased to two new staircases and two 4-metre-wide ramps.
Can I still access the local businesses and use the coastal path along Golden Beach during construction?
Can I still access the local businesses and use the coastal path along Golden Beach during construction?
The area will remain open and accessible during construction.
However, some minor redirections will be required.
For your own safety, please stay clear of any works and follow the direction of signage or workers on site.
Will I still be able to park close to the beach at Golden Beach during construction?
Will I still be able to park close to the beach at Golden Beach during construction?
Some parking will be affected during works so we can build the wall safely. We will do our best to minimise these impacts.
What will the new seawall look like?
What will the new seawall look like?
Part of the new seawall will be a combination of placed rock and concrete walls. This will form the majority of the seawall length, as this design is easily adaptable in the future by adding extra layers of rock or higher walls.
The northern section of the seawall will be built out of sandstone-coloured concrete benches (large stairs) with a 4-metre-wide beach access ramp. This will make for an area that provides high amenity and excellent beach accessibility.
The existing geobag groyne and stormwater pipe will also be upgraded to a rock structure with a backflow device to lessen the risk of upstream flooding in the future.
A physical seawall model was also built and tested at Manly Hydraulics Laboratory to confirm its design parameters were fit for purpose and its final size and height were optimised to reduce cost and material usage.
Some of the top of the concrete walls will be visible from the parkland across the seawall length.
The height of the visible wall will vary along the foreshore but is important to prevent wave overtopping.
How will the area look different from what it is now?
How will the area look different from what it is now?
The site will have a seawall that connects from the Nelson Street rock wall to the boundary of the TS Onslow site.
The seawall will be higher than the current ground level to account for the changes to the tidal prism in the Passage.
The trees along the foreshore will have to be removed to build the seawall, however some trees will be planted in the park to offset this.
The seawall will have two accesses: one ramp to help improve access for unpowered watercraft and a staircase.
After constructing the seawall, when permits allow, we will nourish the area if required to ensure the beach area is still useable for all Golden Beach residents and visitors to enjoy.
What are the design parameters?
What are the design parameters?
The seawall has been designed to allow adaptation into the future and accounts for a 50-year design life based on sea level rise projections for 2074 and beyond.
It also takes into account significant storm events, as per the Australian standards.
A physical model was constructed in Manly Hydraulics Laboratories (MHL) in Sydney using a wave flume to test the design against wave overtopping and structural damage.
As a result of rigorous testing in the wave flume, MHL were also able to verify the design parameters and will help inform future works along Golden Beach.
Previous plans and strategies activities that also fed into the design:
How will the changes to the Pumicestone Passage be incorporated?
How will the changes to the Pumicestone Passage be incorporated?
The project design has factored in a 300mm increase to the tidal range in the Passage caused by the Bribie Island breakthrough, along with projected sea level rise of 0.5m by 2070.
Does Council have all statutory approvals?
Does Council have all statutory approvals?
Yes, we have approval to do the work under OPW24/0383 for the council component, 2411-43260 SRA for the Queensland Government response and Marine Parks is: P-MPP-100758407.
Will there still be sandy beaches?
Will there still be sandy beaches?
Yes, we plan to pull sand back over the new seawall where possible.
Minor dredging work may also be used to top up the new seawall during construction.
What is Council doing about the sand over the coastal pathway?
What is Council doing about the sand over the coastal pathway?
We remain vigilant in responding to the impacts of the regular tidal inundation.
Due to the nature of tidal inundation, sand and debris will often be present within the open space and Council is attending as resources permit. This includes removing sand from the much-loved coastal pathway so our community can continue to enjoy beautiful recreational experiences in this amazing part of the Sunshine Coast.
Should you notice any hazards please report to Council on 5475 7272 or via the SCC app.
What is the woody debris along the shoreline?
What is the woody debris along the shoreline?
We know dead plants and wood has washed up along the shoreline.
This woody debris is classified as a marine plant and is protected under the Fisheries Act 1994.
Council can’t remove it from the beaches unless it is determined as an immediate safety risk to the public.
Did you know this woody debris is actually an important part of the coastal environment? It acts to protect the coastline, hold sand in place and help the beach repair quicker.
What is happening with the sand dredging at Golden Beach?
What is happening with the sand dredging at Golden Beach?
We are starting our ongoing annual dredging and nourishment campaign in the Pumicestone Passage, which started Monday 28 April.
This campaign will run until mid-June and provide operational nourishment to beaches near the Powerboat Club, and on Golden Beach and Diamond Head to mitigate erosion as per our strategies outlined in our Shoreline Erosion Management Plan.
For more information visit Council’s website.
What’s happening with the Diamond Head seawall?
What’s happening with the Diamond Head seawall?
We are preparing to go out to tender for a specialist coastal engineering design firm to design a new seawall at Diamond Head from Lamerough Canal to June Street boat ramp.
The new seawall design will account for fragmentation of Bribie Island and a 2075 planning horizon with 0.5m sea level rise. Future design scenarios will also be considered as part of this.
The scope of construction works is to complete sections along the foreshore as funding permits and to replace or relocate further landward elements such as benches, shelters, fish cleaning tables and the coastal pathway which are currently at risk from inundation.
Design and permits are expected to be completed by late 2025 and the first stage of works is expected to start around mid to late March 2026.
What's happening with the Coastal Hazard Adaptation Precinct Planning (CHAPP) investigations?
What's happening with the Coastal Hazard Adaptation Precinct Planning (CHAPP) investigations?
In response to the Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy (CHAS) we are carefully investigating how to manage important coastal areas through Coastal Hazard Adaptation Precinct Planning (CHAPP) investigations at Golden Beach and Caloundra (Bulcock Beach).
As part of these investigations, from 28 October to 25 November 2024 we invited our community to provide input on coastal spaces, how they use them, their values, and their ideas on how they might be adapted against coastal hazards and flooding. Participants contributed their thoughts via an online submission form, at workshops and pop-up events, and via email.
To find out more about the engagement outcomes, including some of the key concerns and ideas raised by our community for Golden Beach and Caloundra (Bulcock Beach), visit Council’s Have your Say website or view the engagement summary.
Who is responsible for managing and monitoring Bribie Island?
Who is responsible for managing and monitoring Bribie Island?
Bribie Island is part of a National Park, and Pumicestone Passage lies within the Moreton Bay Marine Park, both managed by the State Government.
The Queensland Government is responsible for managing and monitoring Bribie Island. Sunshine Coast Council offers support to the Queensland Government as needed.
Council welcomes the State Government’s recent announcement of an independent review of the Bribie Island breakthrough led by coastal engineering experts RPS and International Coastal Management. We also welcome the State Government’s strong focus on consultation with the local community to ensure your concerns are heard.
The Review Terms of Reference are available on the Queensland Government website with the project to be finalised by the end of August 2025.
Lamerough Canal and June Street boat ramp, Diamond Head
Seawall construction and foreshore works
We are working to protect the coastline and community at Diamond Head. Parts of the rock wall and foreshore were damaged by big storms, high tides, and erosion. These problems started after the Bribie Island breakthrough* and got worse during Tropical Cyclone Alfred and other weather events.
*It's important to note that the Queensland Government manages Bribie Island.
Independent review of Bribie Island Breakthrough
The Queensland Government has announced an independent review of the Bribie Island breakthrough. This review is being led by coastal experts from RPS and International Coastal Management. We support this review and welcome the Queensland Government’s strong focus on consultation with the local community to ensure your concerns are heard. Read our submission to the Bribie Island Breakthrough Review.
Planning a new seawall
We are planning to hire a specialist coastal engineering company to design a new seawall at Diamond Head. This seawall will protect the area between Lamerough Canal and the June Street boat ramp, Diamond Head. It’s part of the Bribie Island Breakthrough Action Plan.
Funding
It was announced on 27 June 2025 that Council has secured vital funding for the Diamond Head seawall through Round 4 of the QCoast 2100 program.
The QCoast2100 program is jointly funded by the Queensland and Australian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) as part of more than $152 million from the Efficiencies Funding Program 2023-24, supporting priority disaster resilience and mitigation projects across Queensland.
Designing for the future
The new seawall will be designed with future sea level rise in mind - up to 0.5 metres by the year 2075. The design will also consider different scenarios, like if the northern part of Bribie Island breaks apart more. The consultants will also use information from the Coastal Hazard Adaptation Precinct Planning project and the Queensland Government led Bribie Island Breakthrough Review.
What will be built?
The project includes:
- building the seawall in sections
- adapting open space features at risk from the tide and sand like benches, shelters, fish cleaning tables and the coastal pathway
- adding new beach access stairs
- a large concrete ramp for mixed use
- sand renourishment along the foreshore
- stormwater system upgrades, including backflow devices
- a nature-based groyne near the old boat ramp near military jetty.
Community feedback
Later in 2025, we’ll ask for your feedback on the open space features through our Have your Say website. Some parts of the project, like the seawall and stormwater design, can’t be changed due to safety and environmental limits and the significant constraints in the area associated with the Bribie Island breakthrough.
Timeline
- Design and permits: finished by late 2025
- Construction starts: around March 2026
Temporary fixes before construction
This area can get covered with sand and debris from the tide. Council is aware. We visit the area monthly to tidy it up. If you see any urgent issues, please contact Council.
To help protect the area before the seawall is built, we have started some temporary works.
We have finished improvement and protection works at the Military Jetty shelter on the Esplanade, Golden Beach. This work included:
- installing a sandstone retaining wall which can be used as seating
- removing the sand build up
- removing the ageing picnic table and replacing it with a new, modern picnic setting.
Although these works haven’t completely resolved the issues of the area, as we continuously inspect and remove sand, it will help slow the sand build up. Thank you for your patience.
To further improve protection of this area, next we will add additional sandstone blocks in the coming weeks and complete further rock construction on the toilet block side of the shelter.
As part of the community relief fund package administered by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA), works began yesterday on installing additional temporary sandstone block walls at Military Jetty and the Military Jetty boat ramps.
We anticipate reusing these blocks in the final seawall reconstruction at a later date.
We are also removing the fish cleaning table at the Military Jetty boat ramps and the barbecue shelter across from Joan Street, Golden Beach. We started work to temporarily remove these structures on Tuesday 24 June and it should take three days to complete, weather permitting. We will reinstate these much-used facilities once the seawall is completed.
Revetment wall repairs at Lamerough Canal entrance, Pelican Waters
We're continuing works to reinforce the existing revetment wall at the entrance to Lamerough Canal (Pelican Waters). This revetment wall is a rock wall built along the shoreline to protect against erosion.
The work involves adding rock to strengthen the wall structure.
- Schedule: starting Monday 23 June 2025
- Duration: approximately four days, weather permitting.
There will be construction workers and machinery on site. Be aware there’ll be some noise from the works and when rock and materials are delivered. Please be careful and follow safety directions in the area during this time.
Other temporary works
We are investigating other temporary works, which may include:
- dredging and adding sand to eroded areas
- extending stormwater outlets
- protecting low-lying areas
- moving sand and debris to reduce erosion
- temporarily moving paths and other features
- reducing damage to open space where feasible.
We will continue with these temporary works, depending on funding approvals.
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Esplanade, Golden Beach - between Jellicoe and Nelson Streets
Seawall and foreshore works - complete
We have completed the reconstruction of a new seawall with adaptation to future climate hazards in mind, between Jellicoe and Nelson Streets, Golden Beach.
This new seawall will help safeguard the parkland and footpath from damage caused by storm surges, sea level rise and coastal erosion.
This project is one of the ways Council is carefully managing our coastline to protect and preserve it now and into the future.
Aerial image of new seawall at Golden Beach Foreshore
Summary
The project included:
- reconstructing and raising approximately 80 linear metres of the existing seawall using grouted rock
- installing special concrete tiles to create a ‘living seawall’ with habitat for sea creatures
- reconstructing and upgrading the coastal footpath with matching hardwood and stainless-steel handrail
- a new stairway to access the foreshore
- reinstating the barbecue shelter, benches and a wheelchair accessible binoculars station
- reinstating the parkland and planting.
A 'living seawall'
The project was part of a trial with the University of the Sunshine Coast and the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) to install and monitor a ‘living seawall’.
A $300,000 grant was provided to Council from the LGAQ towards building the new raised seawall and including the living seawall elements.
We attached 100 tiles to the side of the Golden Beach seawall to create an enticing home for sea creatures.
Because the constructed seawall surface is relatively smooth, the aim of the ‘living seawall’ tiles is to help mimic the natural coastal habitat, encouraging seaweed to grow and creating a home for fish and other marine life.
The Golden Beach seawall and foreshore project was completed with the support of the Queensland Government’s LGAQ QCoast2100 Program in association with Sunshine Coast Council.
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