The issue
In July 2022 under the North Queensland Natural Disaster Mitigation Program, $2 million in funding was granted to the Woodgate Beach Sand Nourishment project to address severe sand dune erosion at the northern end of Woodgate (Boat ramp/Theodolite Creek to Second Avenue).
Bundaberg Regional Council began the tender process for the project with construction on a 240 m buried sea (rock) wall and sand replenishment along a 700 m stretch of the foreshore set to start in March 2023.
See Bundaberg Regional Council Woodgate Shoreline Erosion Management Plan
The project was halted in late March 2023 by the State Government, with the Dept of Environment & Science denying the Marine Park Permit required.
Action
Bundaberg Regional Council attempted to engage the relevant Departments, with little explanation for the reason for the delay on the Marine Park Permit, despite verbal approvals and having the approved Woodgate Shoreline Erosion Management Plan in place.
The WDRA, together with Bundaberg Regional Council and local State Government representatives lobbied to have the project started as soon as possible, with the risk of further erosion threatening property and infrastructure.
In August 2023, WDRA corresponded with the State Department of Premier & Cabinet and the Department of Environment & Science on behalf of the Woodgate community regarding concerns for property, safety and habitat, and rallied residents in September to bring attention to the issue.
On 15 September, Bundaberg Regional Council received advice that Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service has granted a Marine Park Permit but due to the delays andthe approaching turtle nesting season, works will not commence until May 2024.
Bundaberg Regional Council have further complied with State requirements by providing an Environment Impact Study.
WDRA’s Woodgate Community Action Group raised funds to install several billboards highlighting the erosion along Woodgate Road and the Isis Highway.
Erosion update & clarification
24 Feb 2024
Pauline Greer – President Woodgate & District Residents Association, Coordinator Woodgate Community Action Group
As coordinator of the Woodgate Community Action Group my role is to ensure that the community is updated as to the progress of the projected buried sea wall and beach nourishment project.
At all times I make every attempt to verify information before publishing and to take any questions or queries from the community to the correct authority or department. This may be our local Council member Bill Trevor, other Department Heads within the Bundaberg Regional Council or to Department Heads within the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service as appropriate. I will always respond to each enquiry individually or at our General Community Meetings.
Following some updates posted on social media, it would appear that some people by their comments are still confused about the project and the role that the Council and the Government play.
Points to note
Councils control from the roadway to the high water mark. They maintain from the roadway to the ocean side of the pathway. Also maintained by Bundaberg Regional Council are a number of access paths to the beach.
Council undertook, at the request of the Labor State Government, in 2017 a Coastal Hazard Adaption Strategy. In short, engineers and other experts (outside of Council) investigated and planned a strategy to manage the erosion along Woodgate beach.
The buried sea wall and nourishment program was deemed the most appropriate option. This plan was presented to the State Government in 2020 and approved. A $2m grant was obtained and work was scheduled to commence in mid 2023.
The Queensland Government’s role
As stated the Government, through the Department of Industry and Science, invited Councils with coastal areas to undertake a Coastal Hazard Adaption Strategy and offered a grant opportunity to assist with funding.
Woodgate was in fact one of the first beaches to be awarded a grant of $2m. The Minister at the time publicly made the announcement in the media and congratulated Bundaberg Regional Council on the work done.
Just prior to the commencement of work the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service put a halt on the works requiring a Marine Parks permit. That has meant more expense and longer delays.
New Legislation surrounding Marine Parks is expected to be released this year. There are many types of Marine Parks. Woodgate is a type that has access to open ocean. Council is hoping that new regulations will make it easier to deal with erosion and the like.
Issues concerning residents
The sand
Although this has been explained many times, Council is unable to move sand from Theodolite Creek. To submit a permit for consent to move sand may cost up to $1m and could take up to two years or longer without any assurance that a permit will be granted.
As explained at previous meetings, sand is available from Bundaberg and Hervey Bay. Both these sites have existing permits in place and negotiations are occurring as to the most suitable location.
Damage to local roads
To lessen the damage to local roads Council is exploring with the successful contractor a sand dump point out of town. Smaller trucks could then transfer sand via the Esplanade – a safer option for all.
The patching that has recently occurred along Woodgate Road has been done as part of Council’s road upgrade budget 23/24, and there is more work to come in the next few weeks.
A contractor will be doing further rehabilitation work on Woodgate Road over the next few weeks to the amount of $546,000. This will bring to $1,697,623 the amount of money spent on the Woodgate Road rehabilitation works over the last four years.
Trees
Questions have been asked about the amount of fallen trees and the overall mess this has caused.
I have had requests to at least have the trees cleaned up to improve the look of the beach and I have passed these enquiries on to the relevant Department Head at Bundaberg Regional Council.
Council acknowledges that the trees do look a mess but I have been assured that cleaning this up is all part of the works that will be undertaken.
Norfolk Island Pines
Unfortunately one of the pines planted in the 60’s had to be removed for the sake of public safety. This tree has for some time been affected by salt water at its roots which caused die off. Undercutting of the bank had also caused the tree to tilt toward the road, therefore it was removed by council as a precaution.
Turtles
Relevant timeframes now look as though work will be undertaken outside of turtle season and at a time when lower tides are expected.
Questions re the erosion at the southern end of the beach
The view of the government and Queensland Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Environment and Science is that permits will only be issued where infrastructure is directly impacted by erosion, i.e. pathways, roads and buildings such as the toilet block.
Permission to undertake work will not be granted otherwise. The Department of Environment and Science have a policy of retreat, meaning that erosion is allowed to occur naturally.
So, to answer the question for people concerned about erosion along the southern reaches of the beach, this does not directly impact infrastructure, so therefore it will be left to nature and the natural cycle of erosion and rejuvenation that occur.
I hope that this information has helped answer some of the questions recently raised. Jump back up to read through the original information regarding this issue. If you have questions, you can contact Councillor Bill Trevor who is more than happy to take your call.