Future-proof our coastline – share your ideas

Council is calling on the community to help shape the future of one of our most loved foreshores, with two key coastal resilience projects underway at Golden Beach.

In 2021, in consultation with the community, Council developed Our Resilient Coast. Our Future – the region’s Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy (CHAS).

This strategy outlines locality-specific coastal hazard risks, describes how and when they might affect our community, and identifies ways to adapt now and into the future.

Sunshine Coast Division 2 Councillor Terry Landsberg said that in response to the CHAS, the Shoreline Erosion Management Plan and the Bribie Island Breakthrough Action Plan, Council was progressing two important projects in the Golden Beach and Diamond Head areas - and wanted your input.

“We’re developing long-term coastal hazard adaptation options for the Golden Beach and Caloundra (Bulcock Beach) area,” Cr Landsberg said.

“Building on feedback received during community engagement in late 2024, we’re now presenting options that demonstrate the balance between effective ways to manage coastal risks, and protecting the values that matter most to our community – such as access to nature, safe public spaces and opportunities for recreation.

“We’re also progressing detailed design for a new seawall and drainage renewals to protect the foreshore between Lamerough Canal and the June Street boat ramp at Diamond Head.

“We’re inviting our community to review the artist impressions for the foreshore improvements and to share your thoughts.

“The artist impressions suggest possible locations of a realigned and wider Coastal Pathway, beach access points, parkland shade trees, park furniture, barbecues, shelters and linking pathways.

“Your voice matters – please get involved and help us build a more resilient Sunshine Coast.”

The projects aim to reduce the risk of regular tidal inundation and erosion, protect public spaces and preserve the unique character of our coastal communities for generations to come.

“We know how much our community treasures these coastal spaces, that’s why we’re asking residents to help shape the future of these areas,” Cr Landsberg said.

“Your feedback will help us balance protection with the lifestyle and natural beauty we all enjoy.”

Why it matters

Proactive measures taken today will ensure that we are better equipped to face future climate challenges and extreme weather impacts, minimise damage and ensure a more resilient Sunshine Coast for everyone.

Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Tim Burns said through our investigations Council had developed adaptation options which focus on long-term solutions for future planning out to the year 2100.

“The Bribie Island breakthrough in January 2022 increased water levels in Pumicestone Passage, intensifying the need for onshore adaptation,” Cr Burns said.

“Our community is now experiencing the impacts of coastal hazards, including inundation.

“Emergency dredging works have been approved by the Queensland Government to address the southern breakthroughs and buffer Bribie Island, but long-term planning is essential to protect Golden Beach and surrounding areas.

“In October and November 2024, we asked our community to provide input on coastal spaces, how you use them, their value, and how they might be adapted against coastal hazards, to help us inform our investigations.

“We have now developed adaptation options for the area from Bulcock Beach to Bells Creek, and I encourage you to review the options and share your thoughts with us.”

Storms and erosion have damaged parts of the foreshore and the Diamond Head seawall project is a critical step in protecting the area from worsening coastal hazards.

The Bribie Island breakthrough changed the dynamics of our coastline, and this seawall is being designed by coastal engineering firm JB Pacific to withstand future sea level rise - up to 0.5 metres by the year 2075.

The seawall will provide long-term protection for public spaces and infrastructure in the area between Lamerough Canal and the June Street boat ramp, Diamond Head.

The consultants will also use information from the Coastal Hazard Adaptation Precinct Planning project and the Queensland Government led Bribie Island Breakthrough Review.

Have your say

You’re invited to provide feedback on:

• long-term adaptation options for Golden Beach and Caloundra (Bulcock Beach)
• the artist impressions for the foreshore improvements behind the new Diamond Head seawall.

Consultation is now open. Find out more and have your say on Council’s Have your Say Sunshine Coast website, before 12 December 2025.

Project partners

The Golden Beach and Caloundra (Bulcock Beach) Coastal Hazard Adaptation Precinct Planning (CHAPP) investigation has received funding from the Australian Government’s Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program. 

The Diamond Head seawall received funding through Round 4 of the QCoast2100 program. This is delivered in partnership with LGAQ and is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under efficiencies realised through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), aimed at supporting priority disaster resilience and mitigation projects across Queensland.   

Whilst the QCoast2100 funding is extremely valuable to assist Council in protecting the foreshore along Diamond Head, further funding is still required. Council will be submitting the project for further funding considerations through both the jointly funded Commonwealth-State DRFA, as part of exceptional circumstances packages agreed in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, and Round 4 of the Disaster Ready Fund (DRF).