ICM designed and supervised the construction of four sand-filled geotextile container groynes and a seawall at Maroochydore between 2001 and 2003 to address severe shoreline erosion and enhance recreational beach use. A 2017 condition assessment provided recommendations for maintaining long-term functionality and stability in a dynamic coastal environment.
Project Details:
Client: Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Date: 2001–2003 (Initial Construction) & 2017 (Condition Assessment)
Location: Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
About this project:
The Challenge:
The beaches south of the Maroochy River had experienced significant erosion, threatening valuable assets such as the Cotton Tree Holiday Park and reducing the area’s recreational value. In response, the Sunshine Coast Regional Council commissioned ICM to design a series of coastal structures to mitigate erosion and maintain a stable and accessible beach.
The Solution:
2001–2003 Design & Construction:
ICM designed four groynes (50–100m in length) and a seawall, incorporating sand nourishment to restore the beach profile.
The structures were built using 2.5m³ sand-filled geotextile containers, an innovation developed specifically for this project to provide increased stability over the previously used 0.75m³ containers.
The works were staged, with the first groyne completed in November 2001 and the remaining groynes and seawall finalised by May 2003.
2017 Condition Assessment:
As the sand filled geotextile containers were nearing their end of design life, ICM conducted a detailed condition assessment, identifying maintenance needs and recommending design improvements.
Council initiated extensive community consultation through the Maroochy River Estuary Consultation Group and public feedback sessions, ensuring the renewal reflected local preferences.
Based on community input, the decision was made to retain geotextile bags instead of switching to rock, prioritising user-friendliness and accessibility.
This approach earned national recognition, receiving the 2019 Australian Coastal Award for Community Engagement.
The success of these works has been evidenced by the retention of a wide, stable beach, which has provided both erosion protection and enhanced recreational opportunities for the community. – Angus Jackson, Founder, International Coastal Management
Services Provided:
Concept design and construction (2001-2003)
Development of geotextile container construction techniques
Comprehensive condition assessment and maintenance recommendations (2017)
Get in touch:
ICM has decades of expertise in designing and maintaining innovative coastal protection structures like the Maroochydore groynes. Contact us to discover how we can create sustainable, resilient solutions for your coastline