The Nerang River entrance was moving northward by up to 60 metres per year, preventing safe boat navigation and threatening built infrastructure to the north. After an intensive environmental study, the Queensland government installed two breakwaters at the mouth of the river, as well as a sand pumping system at a cost of $50 million. The sand pump removes sand from the southern (leeward) side of the river entrance and pumps it under the seaway to the beaches of nearby Stradbroke Island. The system currently pumps 500,000 cubic metres of sand every year, successfully maintaining both a safely navigable channel and preventing further shoreline retreat.
Beach renourishment
Method: Sand bypass/backpass
Sand source: Same sediment compartment
Sand volume (m2): 4.5 million initially; now 500,000 per year
Approach
Beach renourishment
Geographic context
Open coast
Organisation responsible
Queensland Government
Primary objective
Safe navigation
Coastal hazard
Erosion
Asset vulnerable
Natural
Date of completion
1986
Cost ($AUD)
$50 million
Source of project funding
State government
Project approvals needed
State