Woodgate Shoreline Erosion Management Plan

Recommendations from a shoreline erosion study focused on Woodgate Beach, which began almost a year ago, have been presented in a final report to Bundaberg Regional Council.

Council commissioned the $70,000 Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP) undertaken by coastal environmental consultants Water Technology in March last year.

Environment and natural resources portfolio spokesman Cr Wayne Honor said the study aimed to evaluate current and historical data in relation to wave and tidal influences in the area which promoted foreshore erosion.

“Woodgate Beach has a reach of about 16 kilometres from the northern point of Theodolite Creek south to Burrum Point.

“The study identified that the shoreline most at risk over the next 20 years is located in a 700 metres stretch of beach 400 metres north and 300 metres south of the main boat ramp. The northern-most end of the Esplanade at the junction with Theodolite Creek Road is located within this threatened foreshore and is at risk of being lost to the erosion process.

“Currently it is estimated that this identified area is being eroded at the rate of 65 centimetres a year.”

Cr Honor said that during certain prevailing winds more sand is transferred off the beach than is deposited with some of the sand being retained at the entrance shoals to Theodolite Creek.

“The consultants have indicated that Council needs to base its SEMP on a 20 year planning strategy which is the maximum term recommended by the State Department of Environment and Science when determining appropriate erosion strategies.

“Mitigation strategies to address the area deemed most at risk adjacent to the boat ramp may involve the placement of some 16,000 cubic metres of sand along the 700 metre zone. This would be placed as a buffer and require future nourishment.

“This would be done in conjunction with a 240 metre long seawall which would be buried at the rear of the proposed sand replacement area and would function as a last line of defence,” said Cr Honor.

“Coastal engineers believe this strategy would provide an erosion buffer not only capable of withstanding severe erosion events, but also reinstating this section of shoreline to a position consistent with that of the mid-1980’s.

“Two further options were canvassed in the report and these included a proposal to maintain and enhance current strategies which focussed on dune protection and vegetation management or to undertake beach scraping which involved the redistribution of sand.

“The work undertaken by the consultants was reliant and reinforced to a large degree on the excellent information and project support they received from the Woodgate community,” said Cr Honor.

“Developing and implementing an evidence based plan will provide positive outcomes including preserving the character of the foreshore; maintain convenient access to the beach; maintain the long-term stability of the foreshore dunes and prserve or reinstate environmental aspects of the foreshore in at-risk areas.”

Cr Honor said Council would progress the recommendations to a design and costing stage.

“It is prudent that Council has a workable strategy in place based on the consultant’s findings and accurate costing to fully inform our budgets or grant submissions.”

Read the Bundaberg Now story here.

Work on the Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP) for Woodgate is down to the business end of development with the draft recommendations to be discussed with Woodgate Beach residents later this month.

Environment and Natural Resources portfolio spokesman Cr Bill Trevor said public presentation of the draft strategy detailing engineering options to address beach erosion at Woodgate is the third phase of the SEMP.

“The first two stages involved developing an understanding of the coastal processes that contribute to erosion and to develop and evaluate options that manage and protect against erosion.

“Development of strategies to combat current erosion at Woodgate Beach has relied very much on the willingness of locals to share information with our consultants. That process has been ongoing since the study commenced in February 2019.

“We are now in a position to present the Draft Shoreline Erosion Management Plan for community comment. The recommended option is for beach nourishment, supported by a buried seawall in the vicinity of the boat ramp.”

Cr Trevor said the community is invited to a briefing at the Woodgate Community Hall on Saturday, July 28 commencing at 10am. “There will be a presentation of the draft strategy led by our consultants and we really do encourage community feedback.”

“The consultants and Council have really appreciated the manner in which residents have responded to the SEMP. The initial launch meeting in February attracted around 100 participants and the workshops have continued to elicit great public support.

“Pre-registrations for the meeting on July 28 can be made at consultation@bundaberg.qld.gov.au while information on the development of the SEMP can be found at semp.bundaberg.qld.gov.au.