Noosa Council granted crucial environmental permit to protect beach

Sand replenishment to protect a popular Noosa Heads beach from further erosion is set to begin shortly. 

The Queensland Government has granted Council a crucial environmental permit to enable sand replenishment work to start at the Noosa Heads dog beach.

Council has been granted a crucial environmental permit by the Queensland Government to enable the work to start, following extensive assessment of the proposed works.

The $1 million project will pump sand from designated collection zones in the Noosa River channel and renourish the shores of what is fondly known by locals as ‘Doggy Beach’. 

“The dog beach at Noosa Spit is an important site supporting key recreational and social activities and forms part of an artificially constructed river training and coastal defence strategy for the Noosa River mouth,” Mayor Clare Stewart said. 

“Over the years, this defence system has been slowly eroding, seeing trees and pathways washed away.

“Getting the green light from the state government is a significant milestone for Council in the delivery of these important nourishment works, enabling us to restore the beach and the protection it provides to the area,” she said.

Project Manager, Cody Johnston, said, “Increasing the volume of sand at the dog beach will help redirect the river’s main flow, reduce erosion caused by subsequent currents and boat wash and improve the Spit’s resilience to cyclone events.”

“The sand nourishment works will take place between June and the end of September to minimise the impact on the coastal and marine environment, including fish spawning, bird migration, and the flowering and fruiting of marine plants,” he said.

Noosa Council is now tendering the works to lock in a specialist contractor to complete the nourishment program. 

Several safety measures will be in place for the duration of works, with the dog beach and a part of the car park next to the beach closed.

“For the safety of the contractor and the public we ask that all users of the beach, including walkers, swimmers, and all recreational marine craft (powered and non-powered), avoid the area as works are completed. Marine vessels will still be able to travel in and out of the river as normal and will be redirected to the main channel around the area,” Mr Johnston said.

“We appreciate the community’s patience as we complete these works in the area for everyone to enjoy again.”

To find out more about this project please visit the Works-in-Progress page of the website.