Restoration to tackle erosion issues at Lamberts Beach

Lamberts Beach suffered extensive erosion during Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie in March 2017.

This restoration work follows on from the preliminary work council completed in November, which involved pushing sand from the tidal zone up against the eroded front dune.

Cr Karen May said the project would restore the beach to a better condition than it was before Cyclone Debbie.

“The entire 590-metre beach will undergo sand nourishment,” she said.

“We are bringing in about 70,000 tonnes of sand to rebuild the area. The sand has been sourced from two locations, including North Queensland Bulk Ports land at Mackay Harbour and Kochs Road, Conningsby.

“The sand will be blended onsite to provide a coarse mix in the dune and upper beach area and finer sand on the beach and intertidal zones. This will help to maintain the profile of the nourished beach.

“As part of the work, a 530-metre section at the southern end of the beach will be extended 70 to 90 metres out from the existing dunes.

“The remaining 60-metre length of beach with be extended 45 to 50 metres out from the dunes.

“This work will help protect beach properties from erosion, restore important turtle nesting habitat and improve the general aesthetics of the area.”

Work will be undertaken in four stages, starting at the southern end.

Each stage will be about 140 to 200 metres in length and will include an area of the park and adjacent beach area.

The work also includes fencing and revegetation works.

Public park bookings will not be available for the duration of this project.

Work will start on January 29 and is expected to be completed by early June, weather permitting.

Vassallo Constructions will carry out the work on behalf of council.

Traffic management will be in in place along the beach and parking may be limited on the beach front as access to this area will be needed for heavy vehicles.

Work will be carried out between 6am and 6pm on weekdays, and some weekend work may be necessary.

This $2.7m project is funded by the Queensland Government ($1.73m), and through the Commonwealth and state-funded Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements ($950,000).