New contractor to renourish the eroded Noosa beach

Noosa Council, Queensland, has selected a preferred contractor to tackle severe erosion along the beach section of Noosa Spit.

Last week, the Council endorsed Hall Contracting as preferred contractor – to be ratified tomorrow – and authorized CEO Larry Sengstock to oversee contract negotiations.

“The project will create two sand plugs – one at each end of the beach – to redirect flowing water away from the shore and back to the center of the channel,” Mayor Clare Stewart said.

This approach is as outlined in Council’s Shoreline Erosion Management Plan that establishes the coastal protection regime for the Noosa River Mouth and has been subject to expert independent coastal engineer review.

Acting Infrastructure Services Director Shaun Walsh added that the project would see around 16,600 cubic meters of dredged sand used to create the two sand plugs. “And around 62,650 cubic meters of dredged sand will be used to renourish the eroded beach,” he said.

While the Noosa River entrance channel has constantly changing hydrology, it is hoped that this new channel will improve navigation in the area of the river away from the congested riverbank.

Sand will be dredged from an approved area of the channel. The Council is also working with Maritime Safety Queensland and the preferred contractor to maintain navigation for vessels during the work.

The Council pulled the pin on an earlier contract in August as the previously selected contractor couldn’t complete the work by the September 30 deadline stipulated by the state in its works permit.