A bird’s eye view of Jayteen’s Park has highlighted the scale of restoration efforts currently underway along Bargara’s coast, with more than 7,400 cubic metres of sand being placed on the adjacent beach to help stabilise the shoreline.
The aerial images have captured the sand nourishment project in action, which began in May and is expected to be complete in July.
It’s part of Bundaberg Regional Council’s Bargara Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP) – a key initiative designed to manage ongoing coastal erosion and boost the area’s long-term resilience.
Natural Resources and Environment portfolio spokesperson Cr Jason Bartels said the current works were the beginning of a broader vision for Bargara.
“This particular area opposite Jayteen’s Park has long suffered the impacts of erosion,” he said.
“We’re working to address the situation today while also strengthening our coastal defences over the long term.”
Why SEMP?
The Bargara coastline is unique and features sections of both sandy and rocky shores, natural headlands, pocket beaches and coastal structures all in a very short stretch of coastline.
This coastline is continually changing due to the winds, waves, tides and currents.
Over time these weather events move sand and sediments to shape the shoreline and beaches.
These climatic changes can threaten and negatively impact foreshore infrastructure and buildings, as well as impact important coastal places and natural habitats and how we use the coastline.
A Shoreline Erosion Management Plan provides Council with a framework to proactively plan to manage erosion of the coastline over the short to medium term (five to 20 years).
The sand placement work adjacent to Jayteen’s Park is one of several priority actions identified in the strategy.
Council is also looking ahead, with more areas along the coastline being considered for sand nourishment works in the next financial year, subject to funding availability.
The Bargara SEMP supports Council’s broader Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy and is funded through QCoast2100 – a joint initiative between the Queensland Government and the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ).
