Project overview

Stage 2

Shoal Bay is an extremely popular tourist destination with an estimated daily visitation of 10,000 during peak season and 1,000 during off peak season.

Due to impacting weather events and large swells, severe coastal erosion occurs along the foreshore.

Sand nourishment is a temporary response to the ongoing severe coastal erosion experienced at Shoal Bay. The design life of the nourishment is contingent on weather and is difficult to predict. In response to this, the Coastal Management Program (CMP) will continue to monitor sand movement in Shoal Bay and undertake nourishment on an annual basis or as required.

The eastern side of the bay is a narrower beach with a very limited dune system. With limited sand supply, the central to eastern part of the Shoal Bay Beach is gradually eroding. The beach erosion in this location adversely affects recreational usage and enjoyment of the beach by the community and visitors. In addition, the ongoing sand deficit causes undermining of stairs and access ways and is eating into the dunes in locations.

The works proposed would be effective in the short to medium term in addressing shoreline erosion arising from sediment transport processes. The sand would gradually be transported from the east back to the west accumulating at the western end of the beach, hence the requirement for repeated carting of sand to provide improved beach access and amenity.

Works will include

• Sand will be transported from borrow site at western end of Shoal Bay to the erosion area between the Beach Road turn off and the Government Road intersection
• Sand will be shaped into place with using a combination of posi-track loaders and 14 tonne excavator.

Timeline

13^th October 2025 – 31 October 2025