Amity Point SEMP Central Reach

Council's preliminary approval on behalf of Central Reach property owners includes:

• Extent and alignment: The general area and layout of the proposed barrier.
• Concept design: A high-level design for the barrier.
• Construction zone: Defined areas for building the barrier.
• Environmental impact: Initial considerations for managing environmental effects.

While authorities agree in principle with the concept, additional property-specific details may be required before full approval can be granted. These can include:

• Site-specific designs: Detailed plans tailored to your property.
• Access and maintenance plans: How you intend to safely access and maintain the barrier.

Important to note:

• The preliminary approval is not the final permission to start construction or maintenance work.
• It serves as a foundation to help streamline the process of obtaining full formal approval.
• The exact requirements to be complied as part of obtaining a full approval (operational works for prescribed tidal works) are outlined in the preliminary approval conditions (OPW22/0034 and 2204-28313 SRA) included with the resources section of this webpage.

Private landowners intending to use the preliminary approval should consider:

• Consulting a coastal engineer and town planner
• Timeframes
• Fees and charges
• Marine Park Permit requirements
• Maintenance (e.g., covenants)
• Access (e.g., easements)
• Ongoing sourcing, transport, and cost of rocks
• Currency period of the preliminary approval to January 4th, 2028
• Working with neighbours for a coordinated solution and to share application fees.

1. Seek advice from a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) Coastal Engineer and Town Planner
   
   You must engage a Coastal Engineer and Town Panner to discuss site specific requirements and how you can use the preliminary approval (OPW22/0034) for your specific situation. Council and the State can provide high level information on the statutory requirements of tidal works but cannot provide engineering or town planning services.
   
   Council has created a link to download background technical information including research studies, technical reports, bathymetry, geophysical and structural audit information, as well as the electronic versions of the preliminary approval. This resource can assist you, your engineer and town planner in finalising approvals.
   
   
2. Arrange a pre-lodgement meeting
   •  Schedule a pre-lodgement meeting with Council to discuss your site-specific proposal. Council will provide pre-lodgement advice on the proposal subject to the outstanding requirements in preliminary approval (OPW22/0034)
     
     Visit Our pre-lodgement services
     
     
   •  Schedule a pre-lodgement meeting with the Queensland Government’s State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) to discuss your site-specific proposal. SARA will be a referral agency when you apply for your tidal works approval. SARA will provide pre-lodgement advice on the proposal subject to the outstanding requirements in preliminary approval (OPW22/0034).
     
     Visit State Assessment and Referral Agency
3.  Prepare a Development Application
   Finalise your site-specific designs and proposal and submit an application to Council for operational works for prescribed tidal works (flow slide barrier). To formally move forward with your project, you'll need to complete a Redland City Council Development Application form and submit it to Council. Council will then refer your application to the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) for further review.
   
   Please note that application and referral fees apply for both Council and SARA. These fees can be discussed in detail during your pre-lodgement meetings for clarity.
   
   
4.  Avoid development offenses: Remember, conducting maintenance or emergency works without the proper permits is a serious offense. It could lead to actions from development control, including fines. Always ensure you have the necessary permits in place before proceeding with any work.

As a private landowner, it’s essential to safeguard your property and ensure compliance with regulations. You are responsible for covering initial construction costs and managing ongoing maintenance expenses.

Before starting any work, make sure to:

• Obtain adequate insurance coverage.
• Secure all project approvals, e.g. prescribed tidal works approval.
• Acquire any necessary permits for the work, e.g. marine park permits.

Further information on Marine Park Permits can be obtained from the State Government of Queensland who offers a pre-lodgement enquiry form to seek advice from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) before applying for permits or approvals to conduct activities on Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service-managed land. This helps applicants understand the necessary requirements, permits, or regulations for their proposed activities. 

Visit Business Queensland Pre-lodgement enquiry form

A flow slide is a natural phenomenon where large areas of soil or sand lose stability and collapse into the ocean. This often results in rapid erosion of the shoreline leaving large amphitheatre shaped holes along the channel banks and foreshore.

At Amity Point, they are particularly linked to the movement of the Rainbow Channel.

The risk to waterfront central reach landowners from ongoing channel migration and flow slides is high. To manage this hazard over many years, landowners have constructed a flow slide barrier.

• A flow slide barrier is a coastal protection structure that aims to mitigate channel migration and flow slides before they impact land.
• A flow slide barrier is not a static structure, it shifts and slumps over time as it is impacted and undermined by ongoing channel migration and flow slides.
• The only way for a flow slide barrier to continue to be an effective coastal protection structure is with ongoing maintenance and rock top up.
• The only way to do ongoing flow slide barrier maintenance lawfully is with permits and approvals, as a flow slide barrier is considered a coastal protection structure for prescribed tidal works under State legislation.

The Coastal Adaptation Strategy (CHAS) is a framework developed by Redland City Council to identify areas at risk of coastal erosion and other hazards. It recommends sustainable management actions to mitigate these risks and ensure the long-term resilience of coastal areas. Learn more about the CHAS.

The SEMP Strategy is a collaborative, non-statutory framework for Council and private landowners to address and manage both current and future erosion risks. It guides the sustainable use, development, and management of erosion-prone land by evaluating environmental, economic, and cultural values alongside natural coastal processes.

The strategy also details recommended uses for erosion-prone land and establishes long-term management goals, which have been agreed upon by the Queensland Government and community stakeholders.

Amity Point is divided into the Northern, Central, and Southern Reach, each assessed individually by the SEMP. The plan provides specific management recommendations tailored to each reach for Council and landowners.

To put the SEMP Strategy into action, Council developed the SEMP Implementation Plan. This is a focused initiative that provides practical steps and recommendations for managing erosion across Amity Point’s Northern, Central, and Southern Reach. Created in partnership with coastal engineering specialists, Water Technology, and local stakeholders, including foreshore landowners, the Implementation Plan helps break down the SEMP’s overall strategy into specific, actionable steps.

The timeline for obtaining permits and completing construction can vary based on several factors, including the complexity of your site-specific proposal. It’s recommended to consult with coastal engineers and town planner at the very start of the process and allow several months for completion.

The preliminary approval is focused on the central reach due to its unique erosion challenges and the presence of the existing rock flow slide barrier. Throughout the SEMP community consultation, there was a strong agreement with private landowners for existing management practices to continue, which is, individual landowners are responsible for sections that protect their land. The preliminary approval was agreed as the best path forward to assist in streamlining the process whilst enabling an ongoing individual management approach.

A Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) is an engineer who has been officially registered with the Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland (BPEQ). This designation ensures that the engineer has met the necessary qualifications, experience, and professional standards required to practice engineering in Queensland. RPEQs are recognised for their expertise and are authorized to carry out professional engineering services in the state.

The SARA (State Assessment and Referral Agency) meeting typically involves the following participants:

• Landowners or their representatives: Individuals or entities seeking development approval.
• Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ): Provides expert engineering advice specific to the project.
• Town Planner: Offers insights into planning and regulatory requirements.
• SARA officials: State government representatives who assess and refer the application.
• Other specialists (if needed): Such as environmental consultants or legal advisors, depending on the project's complexity.