Beach works spark speculation

Images: Courtesy of Tom Hall.

There has been plenty of speculation about what’s happening on a section of beach in Scarborough.

Moreton Bay City Council has started ‘cliff stabilisation works’ along the foreshore at opposite 133 to 153 Flinders Pde, Scarborough, to ‘enhance cliff stability and prevent erosion’.

Videos and commentary by residents on social media have in recent days suggested a move for the dog offleash area to this section of the foreshore from its present location (along the Flinders Parade beach between the beach access stairs and the northern rock groyne).

A council spokesperson said: "The current works north of Queens Beach North are part of a coastal protection initiative aimed at managing erosion. Sand nourishment and the construction of a rock groyne are intended to stabilise the shoreline and protect the Scarborough foreshore. These works are unrelated to the dog off-leash area (DOLA). There are currently no plans to move the existing DOLA at Queens Beach North".

Information on council’s website explains the stabilisation work, which is due to be completed in late 2025.

It says the upgrade will include:

• extending the existing rock groyne at Drury Point by about 50m
• depositing about 10,000 cubic metres of sand between the groynes for beach nourishment.

“The two groynes will contain the sand, preventing the slow scour at the cliff base. This will also help slow erosion and reduce beach maintenance.

“Council will track the ongoing rate of scour and may take further action to increase the stability of the upper cliff by:

• removing trees with significant root exposure
• re-profiling the cliff to address any overhanging or unstable soil slabs
• relocating safety fencing.

“The works will improve public infrastructure along Flinders Parade. They will also enhance public safety, beach amenity and recreation access along the foreshore.”