Landslip repair works - First Bay Coolum
Council has repaired a section of cliff face above the beach at First Bay, Coolum which was damaged during the February and May 2022 flooding events. This repair work stabilises and strengthens the area affected by the landslip and has delivered a new path for pedestrians.
Repairs complete
We’re pleased to share that major landslip repair works at First Bay are now complete, with the area reopened and ready for our community to enjoy.
We know this project took longer than expected, and we sincerely thank our community for your patience, understanding and support along the way. Your cooperation has helped us deliver a safer and more resilient coastline for everyone.
The works have stabilised the cliff face, rebuilt the coastal pathway and restored safe access along this much‑loved stretch of coastline.
A big effort behind the scenes
While much of the work is now out of sight, the scale of what went into securing the slope is significant:
- 92 deep foundation piles were installed, some reaching up to 18 metres underground
- More than 1,100 cubic metres of concrete was used – about the same as 450 backyard swimming pools
- Over 110 tonnes of steel helped strengthen the structure
- Around 1,000 tonnes of asphalt was laid to rebuild the road
- More than 12,500 plants were added to help restore the natural landscape.
These works provide long‑term protection for the foreshore and help reduce the risk of future landslips, especially during severe weather. We’re proud to return this special place to the community, safer and more resilient than before.
The project was jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and delivered by Sunshine Coast Council in partnership with specialist contractors.
This is one of 15 landslips across the Sunshine Coast repaired using DRFA funding.
Installing additional fencing
We listened to community feedback about a gap in the pedestrian fence on the ocean side of David Low Way.
While this gap existed before the landslip and repair works, we will now install additional fencing to close it for safety and amenity.
One final night works to ensure longer-lasting road markings
- We'll be coming back for one final night to apply a strengthening coating to the line marking.
- We've planned this overnight work for mid-July 2026 (weather permitting).
- This will help ensure clearer, longer‑lasting road markings and a safer experience for all road users.
Timelapse video
Click the below image to watch a timelapse video of the landslip repair works at First Bay, Coolum.
Project overview
Numerous public infrastructure assets across the Sunshine Coast were damaged during the February and May 2022 flooding events, including a section of cliff face above the beach at First Bay, Coolum.
Council and qualified contractors have finished repair works to stabilise and strengthen the area affected by the landslip and provide a new path for pedestrians.
The works included repairing 145 metres of public footpath on the eastern side of David Low Way at First Bay, Coolum, and stabilising the cliff face above the beach.
The stabilisation works incorporated cast-in-place piles and capping beams embedded into the slope to provide long-term protection and prevent further movement of the landslip.
The piles were constructed by driving a closed-ended hollow casing into the ground and then filling it with concrete for stabilisation. The capping beams are made of steel and concrete, connecting the pilings together for added strength.
The project was jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and delivered by Sunshine Coast Council in partnership with specialist contractors.
We know these works caused disruption and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience. Your understanding helped us deliver a safer, stronger coastline.
Why was the project delayed?
Why was the project delayed?
The project was originally due to finish in December 2025, but several challenges extended the timeline:
- Wet weather: Heavy rain impacted working days.
- Design changes: Underground utilities required a redesign and smaller equipment to keep everyone safe.
- Site restrictions: The narrow site allowed only one-way access, limiting simultaneous tasks.
- Ground conditions: Unexpected cobbles, boulders, and groundwater slowed drilling and concrete pouring.
- Reducing impacts: To minimise vibration for nearby residents, smaller hammers were used, adding time.
You can read further explanation about these delays on the Construction Notification.
Project background
Project background
Landslips occur when heavy rain saturates soil on a hillside past the point where vegetation can no longer support the soil’s weight against the force of gravity.
In 2022, heavy rainfall caused a section of the top saturated layer of material to slip down the hillside at First Bay, taking large amounts of earth, rock, sand, mud and vegetation downhill. The area was securely fenced off when the landslip occurred.
The project was jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and delivered by Sunshine Coast Council in partnership with specialist contractors.
This is one of 15 landslips across the Sunshine Coast repaired using DRFA funding.
Project timeline
Project timeline
The landslip repair works timeframe was revised due to significant periods of wet weather including Cyclone Alfred during February and March 2025.
Due to the impact of wet weather delays and other challenges, we had to extend the works schedule.
The project team and contractors on site experienced challenging circumstances with extensive rainfall and minimal dry days where conditions were safe enough for work to be carried out.
You can read further explanation about these delays on the project's Construction Notification.
Contracted works on site began at 7am and finished by 5pm, Monday through Friday (except public holidays).
Works were staged to ensure maximum safety conditions for users of roads and pedestrian pathways, onsite workers, and contractors.
Scheduled Saturday works
The recent extreme weather event (Cyclone Alfred) and persistent heavy rains caused delays to the landslip repair works at First Bay, Coolum.
To minimise impacts of recent weather events, it was necessary to schedule works on Saturdays until the works were completed.
The Saturday works involved preparing the site for drilling activities the following week, using an excavator and small truck. No drilling took place on Saturdays.
The Saturday works were scheduled to reduce the overall inconvenience caused by the project.
Why did these repairs exclude improvements or upgrades to the area?
Why did these repairs exclude improvements or upgrades to the area?
The First Bay Landslip Repair works were jointly funded by Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
In Queensland, these funding arrangements are facilitated by Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA), the state’s lead agency responsible for disaster recovery and resilience policy.
Sunshine Coast Council worked with QRA to apply for, and secure, DRFA funding to reconstruct and restore civil assets following damage sustained during severe weather events that occurred in February and April 2022.
These repair works are delivered to meet the standards of pre-event functionality.
Funding for QRA works is specifically targeted at restoration and rectification, not betterment, and are carried out to deliver a like-for-like outcome. This is a stipulation of DRFA funding arrangements. This means that works considered as ‘enhancements’, ‘additions’ or ‘upgrades’ to existing assets will not be covered by Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and must be funded by other sources.
DRFA funding for First Bay Landslip Repair works did not provide for the inclusion of additional amenity infrastructure such as seats, a rest stop / lookout and water refilling station.
We will consider these additional items in the future if funding becomes available, however for the reasons mentioned this is not achievable within the current project scope.
Funding
Funding
The project was jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and delivered by Sunshine Coast Council in partnership with specialist contractors.
This is one of 15 landslips across the Sunshine Coast repaired using DRFA funding.
Traffic and parking changes during the works
Traffic and parking changes during the works
Changes to parking
Several on-street parking bays along David Low Way were unavailable during the works period.
This was because the south bound driving lane and south bound parking lane (eastern side of David Low Way adjacent to works area) were closed for construction works and safety reasons. The northern bound driving lane and the northern bound parking lane (western side of David Low Way opposite the works area) remained open to allow continual access for north bound and south bound road traffic on David Low Way adjacent to the works area.
We recognise this caused frustration for nearby residents and visitors, however these lane adjustments were necessary to ensure the safety of workers and the public, and to provide continued flow of traffic along David Low Way.
Changes to driving lane and parking lane during the works
The south bound driving lane and south bound parking lane on the eastern side of David Low Way adjacent to works area were closed for construction works and safety reasons. The north bound driving lane and north bound parking lane remained open to allow continual access for north bound and south bound road traffic on David Low Way.
Right turn into Mona Vista Court reinstated
We listened to community feedback on the right turning facility into Mona Vista Court from David Low Way and reviewed alternative options with traffic engineers and contractors.
We then established a safe outcome where drivers could still turn right into Mona Vista Court from David Low Way during the repair works. This meant access was available for both left turning and right turning into Mona Vista Court.
Car park at Hansen's Lookout
Pedestrians could still access Hansen's Lookout at the southern end of the works area, however the car parking spaces at Hansen's Lookout were not available during this work. The stairs at Beach Access 82 (northern end of works area on eastern side of David Low Way) were open for access to First Bay beach for recreational purposes.
Project updates
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Project updates and construction notifications
Project updates and construction notifications
Feedback
Feedback can be provided to the project team by emailing [email protected] or calling Customer Contact on (07) 5475 7272 (24 hours, 7 days a week). Please quote project number K3400.
Residents of Division 9 can contact Councillor Maria Suarez by emailing [email protected] and residents of Division 8 can contact Councillor Taylor Bunnag by emailing [email protected]. You can find your divisional location on Council’s website.
Contacts
Subscribe here for updates on the landslip repair works at First Bay, Coolum.
If you have questions or wish to request further information, please email Council [email protected] or call us on (07) 5475 7272 (24 hours, 7 days a week). Please quote project number K3400.
Real-time traffic information updated every two minutes is available on Council’s Roads Hub at roads.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au