Shoring up Moreton Bay coastline

Above: Picture by Tom Hall

Moreton Bay’s coastal defences have received more than $15 million for four key projects.

Work on the $1.5 million Flinders Parade Cliffs Protection scheme at Scarborough is now underway.

It will see a 30m extension of the Drury Point groyne and adding about 10,000 cubic metres of sand between the groynes.

Planning has also started on the Crockatt Park ($9 million) and Captain Cook Parade ($4.3 million) seawalls.

A new seawall will be built at Crockatt Park in Woody Point to protect against erosion and infrastructure behind the wall.

Work at Captain Cook Parade in Deception Bay will see the replacement of a “failed rock/shotcrete seawall”.

There will also be a new 120m, six-metre wide, stepped concrete seawall that can be raised to protect against future climate change.

One stormwater outlet will be rebuilt and three new sets of pedestrian access steps added.

A $300,000 business case will also be developed on ways to protect the Dohles Rocks community from “multiple sources of flooding”.

Funding is shared by the Federal Government, with $7.5 million from the Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) and Moreton Bay City Council.

“These projects will protect vital public infrastructure and improve safety while contributing to reduce risks and improve resilience,” Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson said.

“Southeast Queensland has suffered more than its fair share of natural disasters – particularly cyclone, storm, and rainfall events.

“That’s why we have invested in recovery, making sure we build back more resilient infrastructure, including through the DRF. But there’s more work to do.”

Speaking on the foreshore at Scarborough, Federal Member for Petrie Emma Comer said the impact of climate change will continue.

“The base of the cliffs is anticipated to face more frequent and intense wave action, leading to an accelerated rate of recession in the coming years,” she said.