General News
27 May, 2024
Groynes for eroded shores
THREE breakwaters at Clifton Beach costing $2.5 million have been approved at Cairns Regional Council’s last meeting on Wednesday.
Cr Brett Olds (division 9), who represents the area, said residents were “excited” about the project.
He said instead of 90-degree groynes, they were like mushrooms, with one side designed to build up sand on the beach.
“I hope it does exactly what it is designed to do,” he said.
Cr Olds said everyone was pleased the project was not the continuance of the rockwall at the southern end.
Cr Cathy Zeiger (division 3) wanted to know if people could fish off the new structures.
However, Cairns infrastructure and assets director Mark Wuth said it was not recommended for fishing as “safety comes first”. He said the groynes would be submerged under water from time to time and not set up for fishing.
A council report said the rock structures, which will be about 28m x 18m in size, will be constructed on the shoreline and aim to trap sand being transported north along Clifton Beach to reduce long-term erosion and lessen the need for regular sand nourishment programs. It said continued erosion of Clifton Beach had resulted in the need for erosion protection structures to be considered.
“Sand nourishment has been ongoing over many years to address significant erosion occurring to the grassed foreshore and to address the risk to nearby public infrastructure,” the report said. “These campaigns are undertaken at substantial cost with limited success as the sand continues to be washed away by wave action as part of the natural coastal processes leaving sections of the existing rock wall very exposed and at risk of damage.”
The state government has committed $985,300 of funding to the project under the Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program (CERMP).
“The impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper highlighted the fragility and dynamic nature of Cairns’ northern beaches, reinforcing the value and urgency of additional coastal protection,” the report said.
“The severe weather event contributed to the erosion of sand from sections of the northern beaches resulting in the loss of vegetation and damage to roads, paths, retaining walls and public amenities.” Construction is scheduled to finish by March 28 next year, with sand nourishment afterwards.
