QCoast2100 program helps Queensland coastal communities plan for climate change impacts

10 Queensland coastal councils will share in $3.3 million in funding for projects aimed at safeguarding their communities and facilities from the impact of coastal erosion, storm tides and rising sea level caused by climate change.

The funding was part of the State Government’s highly successful $20 million QCoast2100 program.

Delivered in partnership with the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), the QCoast2100 program helps councils to prepare and implement effective coastal hazard adaption strategies by funding on-ground works and actions.

Round 3 of the QCoast2100 funding focuses on nature-based solutions to ensure the risk of coastal inundation is being managed, while also maintaining the natural value and character of Queensland’s coastline.

The City of Gold Coast has received $486,794 for a project addressing bank erosion in the Coomera River using nature-based solutions as an alternative to rock walls. The large park area in behind is earmarked for future development of community recreational assets. 

Cassowary Coast Regional Council’s $263,620 will be used to conduct beach nourishment activities to rebuild the beach and dunes on an actively eroding coast to reduce the risks to recreational and road assets at South Mission Beach   

Hinchinbrook Regional Council $300,000 will allow for beach nourishment activities to rebuild the beach and dune on an actively eroding coast to protect recreational and residential assets at Lucinda Beach. An existing seawall will be extended further inland to reduce end scour risk

Other projects to receive funding include sand placement works to restore eroded beaches and build dune resilience at Bargara and Lucinda; riverbank and estuarine stabilisation works at Noosa and Redlands; the relocation of community assets at risk of being lost due to erosion in Seventeen Seventy; and dune revegetation works for erosion management at Mapoon in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Queensland Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Leanne Linard notes “we know that climate change is only going to increase the risk of coastal hazards in Queensland, with the sea level predicted to rise by up to 0.8 metres by the year 2100.

“This means coastal communities will be impacted more and more by storm tide inundation and coastal erosion.

“The QCoast2100 program has been incredibly successful in helping coastal communities to plan for and adapt to the risk of climate change now and into the future through the funding of long-term mitigation strategies and vital on-ground works.

“We are committed to working with the LGAQ to continue supporting our coastal councils to implement works to keep the community safe.”

To date, the QCoast2100 program has provided $16.2 million to assist 37 councils to advance coastal hazard adaptation planning.

Further information on the QCoast2100 program is available here.

Image. South Mission Beach Credit: Cassowary Coast Regional Council