Beaches restoration program (Tropical Cyclone Alfred)
- Project typeOceans, beaches and waterways
- Project scheduleOngoing
Tropical Cyclone Alfred hit the Gold Coast hard in March 2025. It caused steep sand scarping and damaged access ways and coastal infrastructure. We lost approximately 4 million cubic metres of sand – which is about 320,000 semi-trailer loads.
We have been working every day to clean up beach debris, knock down sand scarps and secure access to all 28 of our beaches. Dredging, protection works and sand trucking as well as water quality testing and monitoring are also underway.
Recovery from the extensive damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred might take up to 3 years. Right now, we are doing everything we can to make our beaches safe, beautiful and ready for everyone to enjoy.
What we are dealing with
This year, extreme conditions, including higher tides and stronger waves than usual, have made it difficult to keep our beaches wide and safe. Often, as we fix parts of the beach, high waves and tides wash the sand away again. This is why recovery is taking longer than usual.
What we are doing
Beach access
To improve beach access, damaged structures including stairs and platforms are being replaced by upgraded access ways with signage, seating, shade and showers. In Surfers Paradise South, 19 informal access ways are being consolidated into fewer, safer paths spaced about 150 metres apart.
New dune fencing has been installed to help restore the dune system, reduce erosion and improve safety.
Dredging
Specialised sand dredging equipment helped move 1.55 million cubic metres of sand back on our beaches.
After dredging and backpassing, natural recovery is now expected within 9 to 12 months. Natural recovery without this help was estimated to take up to 4 years.
Dredging and nearshore nourishment involves collecting sand from offshore sand bars and either spraying it (rainbowing) or releasing it underwater (bottom dumping) so natural wave action can help rebuild the beach.
Waves take time to move this dredged sand from the water onto the beach, so you'll slowly see our beaches recover, rather than see big changes straight away. This process can be interrupted when we have storm waves.
For more information on long-term dredging and nourishment programs visit our Beach nourishment page.
Surfers Paradise Backpass System
The Surfers Paradise Sand Backpass System helps to maintain the balance of sand distribution along the coastline by transporting sand between The Spit and Surfers Paradise via an underground pipeline.
This system will be used until December this year to help repair the damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred and to make our beaches wider.
For details, visit our Surfers Paradise Backpass System page.
Currumbin Beach update
We built a small rock bag seawall to stop the waves and tides from washing away sand at Currumbin Beach near Vikings Surf Club. This low-cost seawall is made out of recycled materials from other beach projects, including strong fabric and big rock bags.
Surfers Paradise update
Geobags filled with sand will remain in place for about 2 years to help protect the coastline while the beaches naturally restore themselves.
Northern beaches update
Our northern beaches were the hardest hit by Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Here's what we're doing to fix them:
Narrowneck
Sand nourishment is the main priority at Narrowneck. We will continue with scarping reduction and beach profile shaping works to maintain beach access.
The Spit
The Oceanway north of the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort has been identified as at risk. It will be closed off and removed if damage continues to occur. Pedestrians will be redirected to nearby, safer pathways.
The dog beach is currently open and patrolled.
Main Beach
Sand has been trucked in to help stabilise the Oceanway at Main Beach. Due to ongoing erosion and safety concerns, the Hollindale Park Oceanway has been removed.
Several beach access infrastructure assets, including stairs, showers and viewing platforms, were damaged and had to be removed.
To ensure public access to the beach, 5 sets of stairs will be built along the Main Beach coastline between mid-November and mid-December 2025, at the following locations:
- Next to Lifeguard tower 38 east of Main Beach Parade footpath
- End of Richards Court, Main Beach, next to 3503 Main Beach Parade
- End of Woodroffe Avenue, Main Beach
- Opposite John Kemp Street, Main Beach
- Opposite Southport SLSC car park, next to Lifeguard Tower 40
Impact will be minimal with small areas of the foreshore fenced off while works are underway.
Hollindale Park
Beach access at Hollindale Park was removed because the beach became too narrow and unsafe. We’re now planning new, stronger access paths and beach facilities. The park will be fully reopened soon, once it’s safe. We estimate that new dune fencing will be placed mid-June.
We will keep a large stockpile of sand at Higman Street for ongoing use in Narrowneck, Main Beach and Surfers Paradise.
Why we’re doing this
The Gold Coast has one of the most managed and engineered coastlines in the world. That’s because our beaches face big challenges from Mother Nature including strong waves, changing tides and powerful storms.
Much of our city was built close to the ocean before we fully understood how much the coastline can change. We now know that we can’t rely on nature alone to fix our beaches after an event like Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
We need to move large amounts of sand regularly to keep our beaches safe and enjoyable and to protect homes, parks, roads and other important places near the beach.
We use machines and special equipment to move sand where it’s needed most. This is called mechanical sand movement and it’s a key part of how we manage our coast.
Our work helps stop erosion, keeps the beaches wide and safe, and protects the things we all love about the Gold Coast like walking along the Oceanway, swimming at the beach and enjoying our beautiful coastline.
Long-term projects
Gold Coast Beaches Resilience Scheme
A long-term strategy to strengthen coastal defences through infrastructure, community engagement, and monitoring. Phase 2 of this strategy is underway.
Seawall Acceleration Project
This program ensures all seawalls meet required construction and maintenance standards to protect against erosion and storm surges. Find out more about private seawalls by visiting our Coastal protection structures page.
Dune Restoration Program
Commencing soon at six pilot locations across the city, this project enhances coastal resilience by boosting growth of the dunal areas.
Northern Beaches Project
This project aims to address ongoing erosion issues with long-term solutions to stabilise the coastline and protect against climate change. It will create a stable, sustainable coastline, benefiting the community and supporting the local economy.
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Questions you've asked us
Is the water safe to swim in?
Our water testing has confirmed that the water quality across the City's swimming areas and open beaches has returned to safe levels.
While we have cleared major debris from the foreshores of our beaches, swimming enclosures and lagoons, debris may still float down the waterways from the catchments. We urge everyone to take care when swimming and enjoying our waterways.
Please remember rainfall can affect water quality because it collects pollutants from streets, gardens, and farms, which then flow into our creeks, rivers, and oceans through the stormwater system. This runoff can increase bacteria levels, making the water unsafe for swimming. Always avoid swimming in water that looks discoloured, murky, or smells bad, and stay away from stormwater drains.
Find out more on safe swimming in recreational waters.
What are you doing to make sure the beach is safe?
Asset inspections and assessments are being undertaken to confirm that all necessary amenities and assets for the safe use of a beach are available (such as platforms, showers and pathways).
What is being done to protect my private property from current erosion?
The best protection against coastal erosion is a certified seawall. The construction and maintenance of a seawall to protect private property is the responsibility of the property owner.
For details visit, our Coastal protection structures page.
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