FAQs

The main cause of erosion is that more sand is naturally moving north than is supplied from the south. In addition, the seawall at Narrowneck, constructed in1923, doesn’t allow the shoreline to recede under storm conditions, leading to narrow beach width, difficult access and an exposed seawall.

Major storms in the 1960s and 1970s led to several coastal management practices, including sand nourishment between Surfers Paradise and Main Beach.

Following storms in 1996 the Northern Gold Coast Beach Protection Strategy was developed, aimed at widening the beach. This resulted in the construction of the Narrowneck submerged reef and further sand nourishment. This combination worked effectively however beach widths have been diminishing through time, as the sand keeps moving north and is not being topped up from the south..

The Surfers Paradise Sand Backpass (SPSBP) started operation in July 2024 aiming to provide sand between Surfers Paradise and Main Beach. While it will enhance beach amenity and erosion protection in the area, as well as assist storm response operations, it was not designed to be the only solution to the erosion issues.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred in 2025 exposed the seawall in multiple locations and highlighted again the vulnerability of this area to storm events.

The northern beaches are exposed to high energy waves, climate change, sea level rise, population pressures and an encroaching shoreline, with these pressures expected to exacerbate over the coming decades.

Local governments choose to manage their coastlines in different ways. Some Councils take a similar proactive approach, others do minimal intervention, and there are less developed areas around the world that are choosing to retreat due to erosion and sea level rise. There are also local and international case studies where solutions to problems like erosion are only implemented in reaction to a severe event, however this type of management does not always achieve positive outcomes for the community. 

Due to the nature of Gold Coast beaches and their importance to our economy and lifestyle, it’s crucial that we take a proactive approach to managing our beaches. 

Sand nourishment will continue to play an important role in managing the beach. However, technical studies show this section of coastline has a long-term sand deficit, meaning more sand is leaving the system than naturally arriving. Over time, this requires increasingly large and frequent sand nourishment campaigns to maintain beach width. The project is investigating whether additional measures are needed to improve long-term stability and reduce reliance on repeated large-scale nourishment.

Narrowneck is a narrow strip of beach that has a history of erosion. The seawall was constructed in 1923 and doesn't allow the shoreline to recede under storm conditions. An artificial reef was built offshore at Narrowneck in 1999 using geotextile sandbags to reduce the power of waves crashing onto the beach. The reef was renewed with more geotextile sandbags to extend its life in 2018. Monitoring shows that the reef has increased the beach's resilience against storms and large swells. It helps slow and maintain sand to the south of the reef. 

Headlands are designed to influence how sand moves along the coast, and by their nature they can reduce sand movement past a point. Any headland considered as part of the Northern Beaches Protection Project would be carefully designed to allow effective sand movement around it, avoiding negative impacts on neighbouring beaches. In addition, the existing Surfers Paradise Sand Backpass system provides a proven way to manage and balance sand volumes on either side of the headland if required. Importantly, no option that causes negative impacts to The Spit would be acceptable as part of this project.

Groynes and headlands are both structures that influence how sand moves along the coast by trapping and holding sand. Groynes are coastal protection structures mainly built to protect beaches by keeping as much sand as possible on one side (the updrift side), which helps create a wider beach.

Headlands also help retain sand on their updrift side, but because they are shaped more like natural landforms, more sand is moving around them. This means they tend to have less impact on the beach further along the coast. In addition, headlands can provide extra space for public foreshore areas and amenities.

This stretch of coastline is already highly engineered, with seawalls and development restricting natural shoreline movement. Because buildings and infrastructure sit close to the ocean, the beach cannot migrate landward in response to storms or sea level rise. Doing nothing would likely result in no dry beach in front of the seawalls and increased exposure of assets over time. The project is about managing this existing constraint responsibly.

No. While asset protection is one driver, the project also considers beach width, public access, dune health, event space, and long-term community amenity. The beach functions both as a recreational space and as a protective buffer for the city. The aim is to maintain a wide, usable and resilient beach for residents, visitors, and future generations.

Surf impacts are being carefully assessed through modelling and expert review. Some options may improve surf conditions, while others may have little noticeable effect. The Gold Coast’s surf breaks are internationally recognised and no option causing a reduction in surf quality would be considered. Any potential changes will be shared openly with the community.

Some options would have minimal visible change, while others, such as a headland, would alter the shape of the coastline. Visual impact and integration with the surrounding area are part of the assessment process. If a structural option progresses, future design stages would consider how it fits within the landscape and community expectations.

Environmental assessments will be undertaken before any construction decision is made. These studies examine habitats, water quality, coastal processes and potential impacts on marine species. Construction planning will consider seasonal migration and nesting.

Importantly, all three options being considered (nourishment, reefs and headlands) have previously been implemented on the Gold Coast. This means their environmental performance and potential impacts are well understood locally.

Approvals from relevant State and Federal agencies would be required, and environmental protection remains a key part of the project evaluation.

Climate change will cause more frequent and intense storms. Sea level rise will impact all our beaches and could cause a reduction in beach width and no dry beach in front of the seawalls at times.

Recent studies have confirmed increasing erosion exposure and long-term sand deficits in the Northern Beaches area. Storm events in recent years have highlighted the vulnerability of this stretch of coastline. ‘Business as usual’ is not sustainable and planning now allows the City to investigate long-term solutions before more significant impacts occur. 

The Northern Beaches Protection Project is being guided by data and evidence, with long-term coastal erosion resilience as the primary objective. Options are being assessed through detailed technical studies, including comprehensive numerical modelling, to understand how each option is likely to perform. The assessment considers engineering feasibility, constructability, erosion risk reduction, environmental impacts, construction and maintenance costs, and how the shoreline is expected to respond over a 50-year period, both within the project area and across the surrounding coastal region. This information, together with a rigorous cost–benefit assessment, will help to identify the option that delivers the best long-term outcome for the Northern Beaches and the wider region.