Surfers Paradise Sand Backpass System
Announcement
The 2025 campaign is scheduled to begin in April.
- Project typeOcean, beaches & waterways
- Project scheduleOngoing
The Surfers Paradise Sand Backpass System is a sand transport system. It runs from The Spit to Surfers Paradise. The system delivers sand via an underground pipeline to replace sand on the Gold Coast’s northern beaches.
These beaches are the most vulnerable to erosion on the Gold Coast. Powerful storms and king tides can strip the beaches of sand and threaten coastal infrastructure.
The backpass enables annual sand replacement (beach nourishment) campaigns that usually take place each winter. The system can also transport sand where needed after a severe weather event.
The system will help protect paved areas (hardstands) at Surfers Paradise as well as protect and enhance beach amenity at Surfers Paradise, Main Beach and The Spit.
How the backpass system works
Sand naturally migrates north along the Gold Coast due to the prevailing wind and wave conditions and builds up at the Gold Coast Seaway.
The existing Gold Coast Waterways Authority Sand Bypass System at the Spit transports sand north across the Seaway to South Stradbroke Island. This safely bypasses the Seaway and copies the natural drift of sand.
Our Sand Backpass System is integrated with Authority's system. Using the existing infrastructure makes the backpass a more cost-effective than other options.
The backpass system allows approximately 120,000 cubic metres of sand to be redirected to nourish beaches to the south each year.
During sand pumping, sand is mixed with seawater and transported with the power of 4 booster pumps located along the pipeline. This sand is pumped to one of 3 outlets along the system, at Surfers Paradise, Narrowneck and Main Beach. The active outlet is connected to a temporary pipeline on the beach, allowing sand to be directed to areas where the sand is most needed.
What to expect during backpass operations
- We schedule the sand backpass campaigns for the winter months when our beaches are usually quieter.
- Set up works including installing booster pumps, commissioning, testing and installing temporary pipework start in April.
- Some equipment will be temporarily stored in a site compound in the Phillip Park car park at The Spit and near the beach entrance at Higman Street, Surfers Paradise. This site is approved by the State Government for our beach protection and enhancement activities under the City Plan.
- City and City-approved contractor vehicles will access the beach.
- Temporary traffic control measures may be in place during operations. Some footpaths and beach access ways may be closed for short periods. Alternative pedestrian access to the beach will be provided.
- Sand pumping usually starts in June.
- Expect some vehicle movements, noise and visual impacts on the beach during this time.
- Public access to beach areas close to the works is temporarily restricted, but access is maintained.
Ongoing monitoring and observation
We will continue our long-running coastal monitoring program before, during and after backpass operations. Beach surveys, photography and wave buoys are all used to monitor and record changes to beach and surf conditions. The Surfers Paradise Sand Backpass System is a long-term investment in maintaining our beaches. It supports all outcomes of our Ocean Beaches Strategy 2013–2023.
Watch a video overview of the project
Frequently asked questions
What is the usual schedule of works?
- April to May: install booster pumps, commissioning, testing and install temporary pipework
- June to August: start sand pumping during the daytime before transitioning to night-time pumping
- Early September: stop pumping, contractor demobilisation and removal of infrastructure
What is beach nourishment?
Beach nourishment (also known as beach replenishment) adds sand to a beach from other locations. The sand acts as a buffer to protect the coast from erosion during weather events.
Beach nourishment has been a vital part of management of our beaches for the past 40 years. A recent example is the Gold Coast Beach Nourishment Project. In 2017, more than 3 million cubic metres of sand was delivered off Palm Beach and between Miami and Main Beach.
The benefit of the Surfers Paradise Sand Backpass System is that it allows annual renourishment of our beaches to sustain the benefits of long-term beach nourishment.
What other options were considered when planning the backpass?
We considered several options as possible solutions to renourishment including periodic dredging from the Broadwater combined with trucking sand, a sand backpass system and offshore dredging.
These options were carefully assessed against criteria including upfront and ongoing costs, health and safety issues, inconvenience to the community and ensuring a measurable volume of sand each year.
A sand backpass system was recommended as the best option because it provides a cost-effective method for targeting renourishment at our most vulnerable locations.
It also makes use of the existing Gold Coast Waterways Authority sand pumping infrastructure at The Spit, making the backpass system more cost-effective than other options.
Where are the outlets located?
There are fixed outlets at Main Beach, Narrowneck and Surfers Paradise.
Locations
- Outlet 1: Main Beach Parade, Main Beach, in Hollindale Park opposite John Kemp Street
- Outlet 2: Main Beach Parade, Narrowneck, just north of the car park opposite 3478 Main Beach Parade
- Outlet 3: The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise, opposite View Avenue
Where are the booster pumps located? Are they noisy?
Booster pumps will be temporarily installed at the start of each annual campaign.
Locations
- Seaworld Drive, next to a car park at Muriel Henchman Park
- Seaworld Drive, in the Federation Walk Coastal Reserve opposite Seaworld entrance
- Northern end of the Southport SLSC car park, Main Beach
- The hardstand area at the Higman Street sand deposition site, Surfers Paradise
Booster pumps produce audible vibrations when operating, but they are within the maximum noise thresholds under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Section 440T). Where possible, the booster pumps have been placed away from residents and businesses. Any booster pump near residential areas will be covered in acoustic dampening material to minimise noise.
Will this project impact the surf quality on South Stradbroke Island?
Protecting surfing and beach amenity has been a key factor in design, planning and operation of the backpass system in line with our Surf Management Plan. Leading coastal experts have concluded the operation of the backpass system will not negatively impact the renowned surf break on South Stradbroke Island.
Photo Gallery