Community consultation underway for protection of iconic coastline

Published on 29 May 2026

The City is calling on the community to have their say on protecting the future of the Gold Coast’s northern beaches.

Three coastal management options have been shortlisted for further consideration to help provide a long-term solution to coastal erosion and to improve beach amenity.

These include:

Sand nourishment - strategically dredging sand on a regular basis to rebuild and widen the beaches, increasing resilience to erosion and enhancing recreational space.

Artificial reef - constructing a submerged reef offshore to reduce wave energy, protect the shoreline and improve surf conditions while supporting marine life.

Artificial headland - creating a new headland structure to stabilise the shoreline, provide additional habitat, improve surf conditions and offer new recreational opportunities.

“Recent severe weather events have exposed the northern beaches vulnerability to storm damage which is why a long-term solution is required,” said Mayor Tom Tate.

“This project is going to be a vital initiative aimed at safeguarding our northern beaches for future generations.

“A feasibility study is underway investigating the most viable approach and we are seeking the community’s feedback to find out what factors are most important to you.”

The northern beaches from Surfers Paradise to Main Beach have suffered significant damage from severe weather events with TC Alfred exposing the seawall and highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of this area.

The objective of the northern beaches project is to improve and retain beach width, improve resilience, allow for faster recovery and safeguard coastal infrastructure.

It also has the opportunity to create additional open spaces, enhance surf and environmental quality and consider the potential for additional viewing platforms and event spaces.

Community consultation begins on Tuesday 2 June and will be open until 23 June.

Visit gchaveyoursay.com.au/northernbeaches between these dates to learn more and share feedback.