Plan to restore sand at storm-hit beaches
VANISHING beaches across the Far North are set for a $370,000 effort to restore sand that was whipped and lashed away during storms this year.
The Federal Government will today announce funding for revitalisation projects at Cow Bay Beach, Pretty Beach, Oak Beach, Ellis Beach, Clifton Beach, Trinity Beach and Holloways Beach following the extreme monsoon trough earlier this year. The environmental recovery fund will set aside a further $361,000 for projects along the Cassowary Coast at Kurrimine Beach, Kennedy Esplanade and Marine Parade.
Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said councils and natural resource management groups would deliver the work.
“Far North Queensland is known across the world for our pristine beaches and coastline,” he said.
“Works at Cow Bay, Oak Beach and Pretty Beach will include the restoration of dunes as well as reinstating natural dune-building processes to reduce damage during future disaster events.
“The works at Ellis Beach, Clifton Beach, Trinity Beach and Holloways Beach will include replacing sand permanently lost from each system to reinstate the beach profile and repair eroded areas.
“This will go a long way in building resilience at the four sites ahead of any possible future disaster events.”
Cairns Regional Council had requested $329,000 for work at Holloways, Clifton, Ellis and Trinity beaches following the 2020 wet season.
Holloways was the most critical project with 7500 cubic metres of sand expected to be moved to coincide with the installation of new groynes.
Natural Disaster and Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud said the funding fell under the banner of natural disaster recovery.
“Queensland’s unique natural landscape is one of the most important markets in the tourism industry and supports thousands of jobs in the region,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Queensland is no stranger to natural disasters, and this is why funding like this is important to help communities and the environment recover,” he said.
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