Environmental works start on The Strand ahead of turtle nesting season
Date published: 7 October 2022
Excavators, trucks and heavy machinery are working on a section of The Strand beachfront to help reduce the impact of erosion and protect coastal vegetation.
Townsville City Council crews started work this week to reprofile the beach between Gregory Street and Mariners Drive.
The works are due to be completed in the next couple of weeks before the start of the turtle nesting season in November.
Acting Mayor Mark Molachino said the beach restoration works were essential to preserving the beach and making it habitable for natural wildlife.
“The foreshore along The Strand faces several challenges, including impacts from the weather, overland erosion and coastal erosion, and is a highly used community asset. It’s also home to wildlife like turtles, who nest in the area from November to March,” Cr Molachino said.
“Over the next couple of weeks Council will use excavators and trucks to move more than 150 large tipper trucks’ worth of sand to sections of the beach that are at further risk of environmental erosion.
“For the safety of our crews and the public Council has partially closed the section of the beach while the restoration works are carried out.
“The beach north of Gregory St will still be able to be used by beachgoers.”
Cr Molachino said Council carried out several beachfront restoration projects every year.
“The Townsville City Council local government area includes more than 180km of coastline, and Council carries out a continued and targeted program to restore beach fronts across the region,” he said.
“This includes more than 31km of Council-managed esplanades on the mainland and Magnetic Island.
“Thank you to the visitors on The Strand for their patience while this essential work is being done to ensure the longevity of the foreshore.”
For more information on coastal management programs, visit our Beaches and Coastal Management page.
