FAQs
- Damage to paths, lighting, and underground services
- Loss of dunes and beach width
- Unsafe beach access
- High repair costs after erosion events
Why do we need to rebuild the existing seawall?
While healthy, wide beaches are a substantial part of our coastal management strategy, seawalls are critical to ensuring our foreshores are protected from severe erosion events and storm surge.
Recent investigations confirmed the seawall within the Justins and Mowbray Parks areas must be rebuilt to ensure it can continue to act as a last line of defence for the Burleigh foreshore.
What will the new seawall look like?
Most of the new seawall will be buried beneath the beach and dune system, using engineered rock and geotextile layers designed to prevent erosion from storm waves. Once completed, much of it will be covered with sand.
More information about the final design of the seawall will be included as part of the City’s upcoming Burleigh Foreshore Precinct Revitalisation project community consultation – scheduled for early 2026.
Where will the seawall be located?
The seawall will stretch from the viewing platform at Justins Park down to Rick Shores restaurant in front of Mowbray Park. It will align with the rear of the beach close to the foreshore, in the same general area as the existing buried structure.
Due to constraints and ensuring protection of the existing Norfolk Pines, the new seawall is required to be built just in front of the existing wall.
Why are we digging up and replacing the seawall if the beach is healthy?
Seawalls are the last line of defence in a severe storm event – we don’t want to wait for a severe storm to potentially destroy the iconic Burleigh Heads foreshore. We’re acting now so the foreshore is resilient to these events in the future.
What would happen if the seawall wasn't upgraded?
If left unchanged, the ageing structure may not withstand future severe storms or the effects of a rise in sea levels. This risks:
Upgrading the seawall now ensures continued protection for the foreshore and infrastructure.
Why can't we just rely on the dunes?
During extreme weather events, dunes can erode rapidly, putting nearby infrastructure at risk. The seawall acts as a final line of defence, especially in events similar to ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie (2017) and Tropical Cyclone Alfred (2025), where substantial erosion occurred along sections of the Gold Coast.
How long will rebuilding the seawall take?
Work on the new seawall is scheduled to start in 2028-29. Construction will occur in stages over several months, depending on weather and site conditions. Public safety and beach access will be maintained with temporary detours and fencing.
Will the seawall upgrade affect the protected Norfolk Pines along the foreshore?
The project has been carefully designed to protect the iconic Norfolk Island Pines. Tree protection zones will be strictly observed during construction. Specialist arborists will monitor works to avoid any damage to root systems or canopy health.
Will the seawall affect the surf break or marine life?
No. The design has been assessed by coastal engineers and will not affect the world-class surf conditions or marine life at Burleigh.
Will the beach be closed?
During construction of the new seawall, it may be required to close some access points or parts of the beach in the interest of public safety. Any such closures would be temporary and clearly signed. We have no plans to close the whole beach at any stage of construction.