Works to reshape sand at Rowes Bay and Pallarenda have wrapped up after more than 5500 cubic meters of sand were placed along the coastline following severe weather earlier this year. The work undertaken by Townsville City Council crews involved replenishing and reshaping the sand along the foreshore, where it is vulnerable to erosion. The work also included maintenance of the beach access paths along the foreshore from Rowes Bay to Pallarenda, as well as some remediation at the sand spit at the mouth of 3 Mile Creek. Acting Mayor and divisional councilor Ann-Maree Greaney said the Rowes Bay and Pallarenda area was particularly affected during the record-breaking rainfall at the start of the year.
“The Rowes Bay and Pallarenda coastline is an area of priority for Council as it does face significant shoreline erosion, especially during severe weather events like this year’s three-month stretch of wet weather. Council has had a team hard at work relocating sand to the eroded section of Rowes Bay and Pallarenda coastline to combat the area’s erosion and replenish the beach, as well as replacing some trees that were impacted by the July king tide.” Cr Greaney said.
Rowes Bay, an iconic part of the study area, has long faced ongoing erosion challenges. The previous SEMP, established in 2010, now requires updating to address:
- Erosion trends over the past 14 years
- Evolving coastal and climatic processes influencing erosion
- Revised planning and legislative guidelines
- Input from stakeholders and the community
- Evaluating of the success of past erosion management actions
Led by Water Technology, a firm with considerable expertise in Townsville, the review of the SEMP seeks to ensure the foreshore’s sustainable use and management for the next 20 years. Together, we can develop effective environmental management strategies that address both current and future challenges.
Council is currently reviewing feedback provided by the community for its Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP) for Rowes Bay to Pallarenda.
“This stretch of beach is important to our community for recreational and spiritual reasons, so it’s important for Council to continue to manage the area with a safe and effective SEMP,” Cr Greaney said.