Maroochydore sand renourishment

Sand is pumped onto the beach to replenish it before the summer storm season.

We do this about every 2 years to widen the beach and keep the erosion buffer between the waves and the dunes, roads, paths and buildings.

Project scope

Maroochydore beach is prone to natural erosion events. Surveys also show on average, this beach loses more sand than it gains. We take sand from the Maroochy River to widen and restore it.

This project has been protecting the well-loved location since it begin in 2013; areas like the foreshore between Alexandra Headlands and Cotton Tree, and the important community infrastructure like the surf lifesaving towers, viewing decks, car parks, roads, park and playgrounds.

It supports events, such as the Australian Surf Life Saving championships, which help to give our region a boost. And helps to keep the beach in good condition for us all to enjoy.

View the approved development permit for Maroochydore beaches and river dredging and beach nourishment.

Project update

The next campaign will take place from June until September 2025.

A small cutter suction dredge will pump 5,0000 cubic metres of sand from the lower Maroochy River to Maroochydore beach. It will strategically place sand in eroded areas between the Maroochydore and Alex Surf Clubs.

It uses an existing pipeline that has been in place since 2013.

A booster pump help push sand up the entire length of the beach.

To minimise noise impacts, the pump is in an insulated storage container in the south east corner of the car park at the end of Cotton Tree Parade and Memorial Avenue and operated between 7am and 6pm week days.

dredge safety fact sheet (DOCX, 5.49MB).

Background

The Sunshine Coast has approximately 60kms of coastline, stretching from Caloundra to Peregian Beach. Our beaches are vulnerable to erosion during storms, swells and weather events.

Council's shoreline erosion management plan (SEMP), guides our foreshore management. It outlines preferred management options that are underpinned by sound science, coastal engineering principles and our community values.

Guided by this plan, about every 2 years, we replenish sand on Maroochydore beach to improve beach amenity and provide long-term protection of the foreshore and important community assets such as roads, park and playgrounds.

Dredging and sand distribution has been completed for 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019, 2010, 2021, 2023 and 2024 supported by revegetation works to help strengthen the dunes.

The pattern of shoreline erosion on Maroochydore beach is typical of most sandy beaches in South East Queensland:

major beach erosion occurs when storms produce extreme sea levels and waves. This is more likely to occur during the summer months and the cyclone season
sand eroded from the beach during a storm is stored offshore and much of this sand slowly moves back onshore during calmer conditions, typically during the winter months
some of the eroded sand will leave the beach compartment completely, this is called net sediment transport, and along Maroochydore beach this occurs to the north
recovery from severe erosion can take many years and sometimes relies on extended periods of relatively calm conditions.

Beach protection

There are important public buildings, road, paths, and parks at risk without sufficient sand on Maroochydore Beach. These include:

Aerodrome Road/Alexandra Parade (State controlled road)
Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club, the parks around it and the skate park (currently protected by a decaying sea wall)
Sea Breeze Caravan Park
Maroochydore Surf Club
public space including pedestrian and cycle pathways
beach access locations.

Maroochydore beach needs a buffer to protect these areas during an extreme storm.

Maroochydore Beach surveys

March 2025

View the monitoring survey map (PDF 2.8MB)

March 2023

View the:

project evaluation (PDF, 5MB)
monitoring survey map (PDF, 2.9MB).

Frequently asked questions

How does this project relate to the nearshore nourishment trial?

It has a similar goal, to protect our beaches from erosion. The nearshore nourishment trial moves a smaller quantity of sand and couldn’t place sand in front of the Alexandra Headland Surf Club as it needed to provide an exclusion buffer around the reef. Council doesn’t have the results of the trial yet but will share then with the community as soon as information becomes available.

Maroochy River is a declared fish habitat area (FHA), will it be impacted by the works?

The proposed sand extraction works are outside the FHA. Strict operating conditions and monitoring will ensure no undesirable impacts occur.

Where will the sand delivery pipeline be located?

The permanent pipeline extends around the Cotton Tree Caravan Park shoreline and then sits behind the Maroochydore beach dune line. It ends near the Alexandra Headland skate park.

The section near the river mouth is buried. The southern sections are constructed above ground, towards the back of the dune, with visual screening in place.

Will the works impact on the shorebirds that use the Maroochy River?

The project has been assessed and approved by the federal department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, who consider the impacts to shorebirds. The project will occur outside of known shorebird migration periods (October and April) to minimise any impacts.

Will the works impact on Maroochy River fisheries?

The project has been assessed and approved by the state department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, who consider the impact on fisheries. The dredge area is outside of the fish habitat area and no marine plants will be disturbed as part of these works there it will not impact fisheries resources.

Is the Maroochy River sand of suitable quality to place on Maroochydore beach?

Sediment sampling has identified a target dredge area where the sand is the same shape and colour as Maroochydore beach sand and does not contain any contaminants.

Will any dune or other vegetation be disturbed or destroyed?

Minor vegetation may occur during the works, any areas of disturbance will be revegetated after the works have been completed.

When will operations take place and will it cause significant noise disturbance?

Some noise associated with the works is expected. This noise will not exceed typical construction noise. Work will take place seven days a week, up to 12 hours a day from June to 30 September.

Will beach access be restricted?

Access to Maroochydore beach will be restricted within a small area (approximately 50m x 50m) where earth moving machinery is used to progressively profile the sand throughout the project. This location will vary depending on the stage of the works.

Will the proposed works solve shoreline erosion problems along Maroochydore beach?

The beach will still suffer erosion from time to time, however the added sand will help the beach to respond to these events in a more natural way and provide added security to the adjacent assets.