Beaches battered but ok

It was a not so merry Christmas for Sunshine Coast beaches but all were spared major erosion damage.

Sunshine Coast Council Coast and Canals Manager, Denis Shaw said most beaches had lost around 0.5m of sand due to the heavy swells that pounded local shorelines over the past week.

"The major beaches have been slightly reduced in width with Noosa standing up the best," he said.

"Coffee rock has been exposed between Alexandra headland and Maroochy beaches however most of the sand has been displaced just off shore and will naturally return to shore after the storm season.

"Some minor works were needed to underpin the pipe work from the pump station at Noosa Main Beach."

Mr Shaw said a number of beach accesses had also suffered minor damage.

"Beach accesses 173,174 and 175 at Mooloolaba to the north of the ‘loo with a view’ were temporarily closed however all have since been re-opened and will be operational for New Years Eve celebrations," he said.

"The only permanently closed beach access is the Cooroora Street access at Moffat Beach which has suffered major structural damage and will need to be demolished and replaced."

Mr Shaw said boaties should take extra care on the water.

"Conditions can be potentially dangerous due to sand movements particularly around river mouths and also strong currents," he said.