Mackay Regional Council, Queensland, has developed an action plan to restore one the worst hit areas in Cyclone Debbie to pre-cyclone condition.
Mayor Greg Williamson said the cyclone had caused severe beach erosion and damage to infrastructure on the foreshore.
“We understand it has been an anxious wait while we have been negotiating funding for this project, but we are pleased that an agreement has been reached and we can complete the work before the next cyclone season.
“This project will not only restore the beach to pre-Cyclone Debbie condition, but it will also improve the resilience of the foreshore.”
The restoration works involve installing a geobag wall along the existing scarp, similar to the seawall built by Livingstone Shire Council at Zilzie. The wall will be covered with sand and revegetated with ground cover plantings to protect the area from severe weather events in the future.
“The geobag wall represented the best option for Midge Point with the funds that were available and will act as a buffer against future erosion and provide increased protection from storm surge and the waves that come with it.”
Other activities taking place as part of the restoration of Midge Point include rebuilding the recycled plastic vehicular beach accesses and new post and rail fencing along the esplanade and at the pedestrian access points.
Beach nourishment is also included in this restoration project and will involve importing 26,000 cubic metres of sand to build the frontal dune to a higher and more uniform level over the 900-metre length of the beach.
The total cost of the repair work is approximately $4.6 million, with $2 million jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements and the remaining $2.6 million provided by the Queensland Government.
