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Noosa Dog Beach Erosion Protection Works

Updated: Apr 28

ICM led the strategy, design, approvals, and delivery support for erosion protection works at Noosa Dog Beach/Noosa River Spit, where erosion rates had reached up to 15 m per year and posed a risk of breaching the spit. The adopted solution combined training and closure structures, beach nourishment, and dredging to stabilise the area while restoring a sandy foreshore for public use.



Project Details

  • Client: Sunshine Coast Regional Council

  • Date: 2010-2017

  • Location: Noosa River Spit, Queensland, Australia


About This Project

The Challenge

By 2009, Dog Beach on the Noosa River Spit was experiencing severe erosion along its full length, in some areas as high as 15 metres per year. If left unmanaged, there was a real risk of the spit breaching in the short to medium term. While some ad hoc protection works had already hardened parts of the bank, Council wanted a solution that reduced erosion risk while reinstating a sandy foreshore and maintaining public amenity in a sensitive and highly dynamic estuarine setting adjacent to fish habitat.


The Solution

ICM assessed a range of management options, including establishing erosion control lines, stabilising the existing channel, relocating the main channel, and combinations of these approaches. The adopted strategy included an training wall/groyne using sand-filled mega-containers, a submerged closure structure using sand-filled mega-containers, a wall using sand-filled mega-containers and rock, approximately 9,000 m³ of beach nourishment, and dredging works. ICM developed detailed RPEQ-certified drawings for all elements, including a staged construction approach to reduce cost and improve delivery efficiency.


Approvals and Delivery

Because the site was both highly managed and environmentally sensitive, ICM prepared the supporting coastal processes impact assessment, risk assessment, monitoring and maintenance plan, and Environmental Management Plan required for tidal works, marine plant disturbance, and dredging approvals. Stakeholder consultation was also undertaken as a series of meetings. ICM also prepared technical specifications, reviewed tenders, administered the contract, inspected the works during construction, and provided RPEQ certification. Stage 1 was constructed in 2012 by Hall Contracting and Marine Civil Contractors, and the works have performed successfully, including through a major flood event.

“The project needed to do two things well: reduce the erosion risk to the spit and bring back a usable sandy foreshore. The final strategy achieved both through a staged and practical design.”

Services Provided

  • Project Management

  • Numerical Modelling

  • Options Assessment, Numerical Modelling & Strategy Development

  • Detailed Design

  • Approvals

  • Stakeholder Consultation

  • Contract technical specifications

  • Tender review

  • Contract administration

  • Construction inspection & certification

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