The Northern Gold Coast Beach Protection Strategy (NGCBPS) was designed to provide sustainable, long-term coastal management for the northern Gold Coast. The project successfully widened and protected beaches from erosion while enhancing surfing conditions through innovative engineering solutions.
Project Details:
Client: Gold Coast City Council
Date: 1997-2001
Location: Northern Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
About This Project
The Challenge
The northern Gold Coast beaches faced significant erosion during storm conditions, threatening coastal resilience and recreational beach use. As a popular surfing destination, the area also required enhancements to improve surfing conditions without compromising environmental sustainability.
The Solution
The Northern Gold Coast Beach Protection Strategy (NGCBPS) was initiated by Gold Coast City Council to provide a sustainable long-term coastal management solution for the Northern Gold Coast. The primary purpose of the project was to widen and protect the northern Gold Coast beaches from erosion in storm conditions. As this is a popular surfing area, the secondary objective was to improve the surfing amenity.
International Coastal Management (ICM) developed and implemented an integrated and sustainable strategy to address these challenges. Key components included:
Beach Nourishment: An initial placement of 1.2 million cubic meters of sand to widen the beaches.
Nearshore Artificial Reef: Designed as a coastal control point, improving wave quality for surfers while stabilising sand movement.
Boulder Wall Completion: Strengthening shoreline defenses against severe weather impacts.
Ongoing Maintenance Nourishment: Regular sand replenishment to maintain beach width and storm protection.
ICM managed all aspects of the project, including design studies, impact assessment studies, final engineering design, and implementation. Advanced construction techniques using mega sand-filled geotextile containers were used for the reef, ensuring cost-effectiveness, safety, and ecological benefits. The reef provided a substratum for diverse marine life, creating a vibrant ecosystem that exceeded expectations.
Monitoring & Results
The impact studies included a cost-benefit study undertaken by Griffith Centre for Coastal Management (GCCM) and a comprehensive Environmental Management Plan that was developed with GCCM. As part of the design studies, physical and numerical modeling was undertaken by Water Research Laboratory (University of NSW), Griffith Centre for Coastal Management and the University of Waikato.
Extensive monitoring has demonstrated the strategy’s success in maintaining an increased storm buffer during significant wave events (up to Hmax >13m) and enhancing surfing conditions. The reef has also become a valued recreational diving and fishing destination, adding ecological and community benefits.
The mega sand filled geotextile containers used for construction of the reef have proved to be a safe and economical construction material. The monitoring has provided data to facilitate improvements to the geotextile materials and container design. The non-woven Terrafix geotextile has also provided an excellent substratum for a diverse range of marine vegetation and the extent and diversity of the marine habitat formed has greatly exceeded expectations. The development of this diverse marine ecosystem contributes to the environmental value of the reef structure as well as providing a new recreational dive and fishing location.
“The North Gold Coast Beach Protection Strategy demonstrates how innovative engineering and environmental integration can deliver long-term resilience and recreational value to our coastlines.” - Angus Jackson, International Coastal Management
Services Provided:
Coastal Management Strategy Development
Beach Nourishment Design & Implementation
Artificial Reef Design & Construction
Impact Assessment Studies (IAS)
Environmental Management Plans (EMP)
Monitoring & Maintenance
-> Learn more about the Northern Gold Coast Beach Protection Strategy.
Get in Touch
At ICM, we specialise in designing and delivering innovative coastal protection strategies tailored to unique challenges. Our decades of experience, combined with sustainable solutions, ensure long-lasting results for communities and ecosystems. Contact us today to learn how we can support your coastal management needs.