Project Overview

We have 60 kilometres of coastline along the Sunshine Coast, which makes our region a highly desirable place to live, work, and play.

The coastal zone is dynamic. It faces challenges like beach erosion, shifting sands, and storm tides. Permanent tidal inundation of low-lying areas is another concern.

Coastal Hazard Adaptation Precinct Planning explores options to mitigate coastal hazards in priority areas, looking at different ways to make our public places stronger and more resilient against these changes. Investigations will include identifying adaptation options, with a primary focus on long-term solutions for future planning out to the year 2100.

Areas that are currently being investigated include Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and Golden Beach and Caloundra (Bulcock Beach). Council will identify potential options for adapting public coastal spaces and infrastructure to make them more resilient to coastal hazards. We need community input on how you currently use those places and what you value about them. Your input will be considered in the development and analysis of options.

Community Engagement

Consultation is now open

Provide feedback by Monday 25 November 2024

We invite the community to provide input on coastal spaces, how you use them, their value, and how they might be adapted against coastal hazards and flooding. Consultation is open from 9am Monday 28 October to 5pm Monday 25 November 2024.

You can participate in the following ways:

  • Complete an online submission form

    Click on the relevant investigation area below to find out more about the location and complete the online submission form. You can complete a submission form for more than one investigation area.

  • Attend a drop-in session

    Come along to one of our drop-in sessions to find out more about these investigations, ask questions and provide feedback.

    Session details  

  • Send an email

    If you would prefer to provide a written submission, email the team at ourresilientcoast@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.

Next Steps

Council will review and evaluate all feedback received. We will then develop and assess adaptation options for each investigation area. Community feedback on what you value about the key project locations will be used, along with functionality and viability criteria, to assess the adaptation options.

The project team will update the community in 2025 on the outcomes of the engagement process.

Background

In 2021, in consultation with our community, we prepared the Our Resilient Coast. Our Future, which is the Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy (CHAS) for the region. The Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy gives locality-specific summaries of coastal hazards. It describes how and when they might affect our community, and ways to adapt to them now and in the future.

In response to the Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy, Council is now planning for coastal hazards at key areas – Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and Golden Beach and Caloundra (Bulcock Beach). The first part of this planning includes an investigation of potential adaptation options. This will focus on public areas and assets to reduce the impacts from increasing coastal hazards associated with climate change.

Our community faces challenges from coastal hazards. For example, high tides are flooding some low-lying roads and storms are eroding foreshores.

If nothing is done, our coastal public spaces will suffer. Rising sea levels, stronger storms, intense rain, and more erosion will cause this. They will be damaged more and become less safe. Adaptation can reduce risks to our community and public infrastructure, so we can continue to use these areas.

To view a long list of adaptation elements that may be considered across the region to assist in the mitigation of coastal hazards, please view the Fact Sheet 2 - Adaptation to manage impacts from coastal hazards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Coastal Hazard Adaptation Precinct Planning investigations will identify and assess potential adaptation options to reduce the impacts to our community and environment caused by coastal hazards and flooding.

Investigation areas are determined by Council's endorsed Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy (CHAS). The Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy assigned an adaptation response and pathway for each locality across the Sunshine Coast. Adaptation responses and options are considered by locality which is based on four zones and 28 associated beach units.

Investigations are currently underway in Golden Beach and Caloundra (Bulcock Beach), Maroochydore and Mooloolaba. These areas are already experiencing the impacts of coastal hazards, including inundation. Familiarise yourself with the adaptation pathway outlined for your local beach or area by visiting the endorsed Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy (CHAS).

Erosion and inundation are natural processes that shape the coastline. However, they can become hazards when they impact on coastal values and how we use and enjoy the coast. Coastal hazard exposure is expected to increase with changes in wave action, storm activity and sea level rise associated with climate change. Coastal hazards include inundation of low-lying coastal areas and erosion of the shoreline. In Southeast Queensland, significant coastal hazard impacts are typically associated with East Coast Lows and tropical cyclones. To find out more about coastal hazards please see Fact Sheet 1 - Common coastal hazard adaptation and flooding terminology.

Reducing coastal hazard and flood risks is complex due to the dynamic nature of the coastal environment and the way we use the coast. This complexity means that no single adaptation element can effectively reduce the risks from flooding and coastal hazards. It will require multiple targeted and integrated actions that can evolve and change with our needs over time. Options will need to be developed by considering the specific challenges and unique nature of each location. To find out more about adaptation elements please see Fact Sheet 2- Adaptation to manage impacts from coastal hazards.

Adaptation approaches seek to safeguard the values (social, environmental and economic) and character of the region. The coastal lifestyle that is critical to the identity of the Sunshine Coast is defined by the local values and character of our coastal places. We need your input on how you currently use these places and what you value about them. Your input will be considered in the development and analysis of potential adaptation solutions. Complete the online submission form to have your say!


While Council plays a key role in managing coastal hazards, the effective management of these hazards requires a collaborative approach. Working together will become even more important as we respond to the hazards of a changing climate. Proactive measures taken today will ensure that we are better equipped to face future challenges, minimise damage and ensure a more resilient Sunshine Coast for everyone. To find out more information about a collaborative approach to successful adaptation please see Fact Sheet 3 – Working together.

Timeline

  • Timeline item 1 - active

    28 October 2024: Consultation opens

    Have your say on the way you use and value key coastal areas, and how Council might adapt them against coastal hazards.

  • Timeline item 2 - incomplete

    25 November 2024: Consultation closes

  • Timeline item 3 - incomplete

    Early - mid 2025: Close the loop

    We will provide the community with an update on the outcomes of the consultation process. Exact timing to be confirmed.

  • Timeline item 4 - incomplete

    2025 onwards: Investigation and options analysis

    Feedback from the community will be reviewed and considered in the development of adaptation options.

Want to know more?

Contact Us

Have questions or want to learn more about a project, contact us below:

Name Coastal Hazard Adaptation Precinct Planning Team
Phone (07) 5475 7272
Email ourresilientcoast@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au