The annual sand dredging program at Tallebudgera Creek started this week with sand to be pumped onto Burleigh Beach over the next five weeks.
Engineering Services Committee Chair, Councillor Daphne McDonald , said the work was an integral part of the program to maintain and replenish sand on the city’s beaches.
“ This month’s dredging program comes at a time when our beaches are most in need of sand ,” she said.
“ Strong ocean swells and high tides have taken a toll on our northern beaches in recent weeks .”
“ The dredging will help to restore the beach and reduce scarping in time for the summer storm season .”
The dredging program pumps the sand overland and it is released into the southern corner of Burleigh beach near Burleigh Beach House and spreads north 350 metres.
Cr McDonald said the program was expected to shift 40,000 – 50,000 cubic metres of sand onto the beach.
Local area representative, Councillor Greg Betts, said these necessary works had been an annual event for many years.
“ Beachgoers will see pipe and machinery at Burleigh to distribute the sand, and we ask people to take care around these works over the coming weeks ,” he said.
“ Council will work closely with the contractors, Neumanns Dredging, to ensure minimal disruption to local residents and beachgoers .
“ Pumping will occur during week days and daylight hours. ”
The dredging may cause some discolouration of the water, but this will clear as the sand settles onto the beach.
Council has committed $830,000 for dredging works at Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creeks. Work at Currumbin Creek, due to start by early November, will see an estimated 40,000 cubic metres of sand pumped from the estuary to the northern end of Fourth Avenue, Palm Beach.
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Press Release, August 8, 2013