Solution buried under the sand?

Check out Burleigh Boardriders for an insightful perspective on what’s happening right now (November 09)…

Annual sand dredging and pumping from the Tallebudgera Creek is due to begin in July and last for six weeks.

Sand must be removed from the creeks mouth as part of the council’s flood mitigation program. The sand is pumped onto Burleigh beach to alleviate coastal erosion.

The amount of sand pumped depends on the extent of erosion on the popular tourist beach. Last year 35,814 cubic meters of sand was pumped onto the beach, at a cost of $303,151.

According to Burleigh environmentalist Richard Harvey, this is merely an aesthetic solution to what he considers a multifaceted issue.

“Dredging creates a massive hole in the creek, which is then filled with sand that would otherwise create sand banks around the Burleigh headland and beach. These sandbanks are important because they dissipate the strength of a large swell. If the banks aren’t there the full power of the swell sweeps right up onto the beach and erodes the dumped sand anyway,” he explains.

Looking south at he creek mouth as seen from the top of Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Heads councillor Greg Betts said that he has been approached by locals wanting a re-examination of the process.

Pumping sand from Tallebudgera Creek to the ocean floor off the headland is a proposal being considered by the council.

“It would be more of a natural sand flow than what currently happens with the sand being dumped onto the beach,” said Cr Betts.

“I don’t reckon there would be any major dramas and if anything it would create a better break”.

Mr Harvey is not convinced this is the best approach. He suggests creating a mini ‘superbank’ would destroy the identity of the world famous surfing break.

“What we have now at Burleigh are four different breaking waves. We don’t want what happened at Coolangatta and Kirra to happen again here at Burleigh. Making one big superbank will further intensify the crowds. Surfers hate that,” said Mr Harvey.

Cr Betts admits there could be a lot more research done regarding the environmental and coastal implications. He is waiting on information being compiled by coastal management researchers at Griffith University.

“I would like to set up a Community Advisory Board for the sand pumping issue,” said Cr Betts.

He is unsure if the background research will be completed by July when the pumping is due to begin. In the meantime the impact of sand pumping on the area remains a contestable issue.

Listen: Keri Algar talks with Cr Betts and Richard Harvey

Watch: some of the waves created by the natural Northwards flow of sand.