Kirra Beach restoration
In February 2009 the Premier of Queensland announced up to $1.5 million funding towards the restoration of Kirra Beach. Since that time, the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) has been responsible for the project management of the Kirra Beach Restoration Project. The Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) is a key stakeholder and the primary service provider for the works.
The Kirra Beach Restoration Project consists of the following three stages:
Stage 1: Works were completed in July 2009, with 20,000 m3 of sand excavated to fill in low-lying beach lagoons at Kirra and for emergency repair works at Palm Beach.
Stage 2: Works were completed in December 2009 (Stage 2a) and November 2010 (Stage 2b), with approximately 200,000 m3 of sand excavated from the Kirra Beach shoreline and used to restore a sand dune buffer at the back of the beach.
Stage 3: To investigate sustainable long-term options for managing sand supply to the southern Gold Coast beaches including Kirra Beach.
Aerial view of Stage 2a work plans (PDF, 226K)* - completed December 2009.
Aerial view of Stage 2b work plans (PDF, 269K)* - completed November/December 2010.
Stages 1 and 2: Kirra Beach Restoration Project milestones
- Stages 1 and 2 of the Kirra Beach Restoration Project are now complete.
- Stage 1 works were completed in July 2009, moving 20,000 m3 of sand for fill in low-lying beach lagoons at Kirra and for emergency repair works at Palm Beach.
- Stage 2a excavation works were completed on 17 December 2009 moving an estimated 75,000 m3 of sand from the foreshore to extend the sand dunes behind Kirra Beach. The dunes created now extend from west of the Miles Street groyne to 50 metres east of the Coolangatta Creek outlet. They are on average 1.5 metres above existing back beach levels.
- Fencing work on these dunes was completed on 26 February 2010.
- Stage 2b excavation works were completed on 23 November 2010, two weeks ahead of schedule. An estimated 137,000 m3 of sand was moved from the foreshore to extend the sand dunes behind Kirra beach.
- Stage 2a and Stage 2b dune revegetation work was carried out by local contractors Gecko Regen over a 1.7 kilometre length of the restored dune system. Initial planting of around 18,000 native plant species was completed in May 2011.
Stages 1 and 2 achievements
- On completion of Stages 1 and 2 of the Kirra Beach restoration works at the end of November 2010, the beach adjacent to the Kirra Surf Life Saving Club was at its narrowest since May 2003.
- The GCCC will continue to maintain the rehabilitated sand dune buffer for a further twelve months. Maintenance will include weeding, site monitoring, and watering using recycled water. Following this time the GCCC will continue to maintain these dunes as part of a city wide dune maintenance program.
Stage 3: Where to from here?
Following completion of Stages 1 and 2 of the Kirra Beach restoration project, DERM sought feedback from the community on long-term options for further investigation as part of Stage 3 of the project.
The consultation period has now closed. Feedback in response to the project will help inform the development of the long-term options for Stage 3 of the project.
Other activities relevant to Kirra Beach
The Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Project (TRESBP) plays a vital role in the delivery of sand to the southern Gold Coast beaches. Whilst TRESBP and the Kirra Beach Restoration Project are managed separately, the improved ongoing operation of the TRESBP will ensure that these beaches continue to provide an attractive amenity for the many different beach users. Importantly, the project will also provide adequate protection from major erosion events which may threaten public and private property.
TRESBP has independently completed an operational feasibility study to better manage the delivery of the highly variable natural sand supply rates to the southern Gold Coast beaches. A separate public consultation process on the operational feasibility study options is currently being undertaken by TRESBP.
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Last updated 30 November 2011