Amity Point SEMP Northern Reach

Initial monitoring survey program: A monitoring program was undertaken to inform the coastal process study.

Council update: Council and its engaged consultants undertook detailed foreshore surveys and utilised high frequency satellite data to create a detailed understanding of foreshore change.

Monitoring continues: The northern reach is highly dynamic and foreshore widths and positions can fluctuate within a year. Council is investigating ongoing monitoring using high frequency satellite image capture. Further details will be provided on this webpage as this work progresses.

Coastal process studies: These studies help identify natural factors contributing to erosion and inform future mitigation strategies.

Council update: Council engaged a coastal science and engineering consultancy to deliver the Coastal Process Studies. The monitoring data was utilised alongside analysis of recorded data (e.g. wind and waves), tidal and nearshore modelling, longshore sediment transport analysis and storm tide to refine the understanding of coastal processes that impact the northern reach.

The current Coastal Processes Study (October 2024) offers guidance for Northern Reach landowners on managing coastal hazard risks to protect their property. Amity Point is an area of ongoing and dynamic coastal change. Continued shoreline retreat at the northern reach increases exposure to coastal erosion and inundation of private and public land.

Previous investigations at Amity Point have identified several drivers of long-term coastal recession along the Northern reach including the encroachment of the Rainbow channel along the western edge of Amity Point. The results of the current assessment indicate that erosion along the northern reach is heavily influenced by the fluctuations of a spit at the eastern extent of the study area. 

While Council does not undertake or plan foreshore protection for private land, landowners may take actions to help reduce or mitigate the risk of erosion on their land. Some examples include:

Beach nourishment and beach re-profiling works (must be undertaken with the relevant approvals in place). Build their own coastal protection works within their lot (provided they are granted the necessary approvals for such works). Adopt a communal approach to facilitate design and construction. This approach is highly recommended and will reduce costs and increase effectiveness.

Landowners planning coastal protection works must engage a qualified Coastal Engineer and Town Planner. This is a non-negotiable requirement to ensure that all projects are:

Expertly designed to address coastal erosion risks and withstand natural forces to protect your land. Fully compliant with the Planning Act 2016, Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995, and other relevant regulations.

Failure to engage a Coastal Engineer and Town Planner and not obtaining the appropriate approvals and permits can lead to delays, fines, or poorly executed erosion management. Landowners are strongly encouraged to consult these experts as an essential first step in their planning process.

• Designing effective solutions such as seawalls, beach nourishment, and other erosion control measures.
• Ensuring strict adherence to local, state, and federal guidelines at every stage of the project.

These professionals provide critical support by:

Assisting with the preparation and submission of all necessary permits and approvals.

1. Read the Coastal Processes Study - Review the study to understand coastal processes and risks specific to your property.
2. Seek professional advice - Consult a Coastal Engineer and Town Planner for guidance. This step is mandatory to ensure compliance with local and state regulations.
3. Understand the legal requirements - Coastal protection works, such as seawalls or similar structures, are classified as assessable development under the Planning Act 2016 and the Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 and may also require Marine Park Permits under the Marine Parks Act 2004. This means you will need an operational works permit before construction.
4. Seek pre-lodgement advice from the State Government and Council – Council is the assessment manager for prescribed tidal works applications and the State Government is a referral agency. It is strongly recommended you seek pre-lodgement advice from both Council and the State to fully understand requirements, discuss constraints and works for your site, and ensure a timely outcome.
   Council: Our pre-lodgement services
   State (prescribed tidal works): Factsheet | Seeking pre-lodgement advice(PDF, 124KB) 
   State (marine park permit): Pre-lodgement inquiry form | Business Queensland.
5. Apply for permits and approvals - Ensure you obtain all relevant permits and approvals before commencing work. Council provides detailed guidance on these requirements at Building a sea wall.
6. Proceed with construction and maintenance - Once all permits and approvals are in place, you can begin construction and maintain the structure as required.

Coastal erosion management roles, responsibilities, and funding for both Council and property owners in the Redlands coast are:

Council's role: Council may oversee high level monitoring programs, provide guidance, and information for the community. Council only manages impacts from erosion to public land and assets.
Property owner’s role: Property owners are responsible for managing the impacts of erosion to their land. Council does not protect private property. Private landowners are encouraged to participate actively in the erosion mitigation efforts, whether through individual actions or communal projects and with the appropriate permits and approvals.

The Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP) is a non-statutory planning document that provides a strategic framework for managing and responding to current and future erosion risks at Amity Point. It evaluates land vulnerable to erosion by considering environmental, economic, cultural, and coastal factors, to promote the sustainable use and management of these areas.

The SEMP offers a detailed understanding of the coastal processes and provides a tool for community engagement and guiding agencies responsible for approving erosion management strategies. It helps ensure that all planning aligns with cultural, socio-economic, and environmental values, as well as local, State, and Federal regulations.

The SEMP provides a long-term management framework for erosion-prone areas, focusing on sustainable land use and management. It considers broader community, environmental, and planning factors.

The Coastal Processes Study, on the other hand, is a technical document that specifically analyses the natural forces causing erosion, such as wind, waves, tides and currents. It offers scientific data to inform the SEMP and help shape appropriate management actions. The coastal process study was undertaken specifically to understand the drivers of coastal change in the Northern Reach of Amity.

The Amity Point Northern Reach Coastal Processes Study shows that the coastline is constantly changing. Natural forces, like wind, waves, tides, and currents, affect shifting sand banks, channels, and the foreshore. Recently, we’ve seen more erosion along the Northern Reach, meaning parts of the foreshore are gradually receding.

Key factors driving this change include:

• The Rainbow Channel movement near Amity Point’s western edge.
• Strong tide currents along the foreshore.
• Shifts in the sand spit at the island's tip.

These natural changes make Amity's coastline more vulnerable to land loss. The study offers important information on future coastal risks, helping landowners manage and better understand erosion risks and plan for the future.

Future erosion risks at the northern reach of Amity Point are driven by a combination of natural coastal processes and environmental changes, including:

• Rainbow channel migration - The Rainbow Channel is gradually shifting toward the western edge of Amity Point, intensifying erosion along the shoreline as the channel's movement alters the coastal landscape.
• Tides and currents - The tidal velocities, particularly on an ebb tide (outgoing or falling tide), are of a significant magnitude that can strip large volumes of sand from the sand spits and sand banks before this sand can be deposited onto the beach.
• Wave action and storm surges - The Northern Reach is exposed to the open waters of the Pacific Ocean, making it especially susceptible to the impact of strong waves, high tides, and storm surges. These forces can accelerate erosion and cause the shoreline to retreat, particularly during extreme weather events.
• Sea-level rise - Long-term sea-level rise due to climate change is expected to further accelerate coastal erosion. As sea levels rise, higher water levels may result in more frequent and severe erosion events, particularly in low-lying areas.
• Sand movement: Shifting sandbanks and spits contribute to beach growth and erosion. Factors like tidal stripping and deep channel losses can lead to unpredictable beach width changes.

While the Coastal Process Study provides valuable insights, it cannot accurately predict the extent or timing of future erosion due to the complex and unpredictable nature of natural coastal processes.

This uncertainty makes it difficult to forecast the exact impact on your land over time. What can be said with certainty is that dynamic coastal processes will continue to impact this section of coastline and may be accelerated by major storm and tidal events which can impact land in the absence of well-designed protection measures.

Property owners must engage with a Coastal Engineer and Town Planner to assess and discuss the specific erosion risks and impacts related to your property.

1. Consult with a Coastal Engineer and Town Planner
   The first and most critical step is to seek professional advice. A Coastal Engineer and Town Planner can help you assess erosion risks to your property and design appropriate protection measures. They will also guide you through the necessary legal and regulatory requirements for any works you plan to undertake.
   
   
2. Obtain the necessary approvals
   Before beginning any coastal protection works, you must secure the relevant permits and approvals, ensuring compliance with the Planning Act 2016, Marine Parks Act 2004, and other regulations. This is critical to ensure lawful and sustainable work.
   
   It is highly illegal to place or dump unapproved materials into the sea or along the coastline or to undertake work without the necessary permits and approvals.
   
   
3. Construct and maintain erosion control structures
   Depending on your Coastal Engineer's advice, you may need to install erosion control measures such as seawalls or rock barriers. You are responsible for the construction, funding, and ongoing maintenance of these structures to ensure they remain effective.

Coastal process study: Council has conducted a detailed coastal process study to provide residents with valuable insights into the complex and dynamic erosion patterns affecting the Northern Reach. This information helps landowners make informed property management decisions.

Monitoring: Ongoing beach surveys and monitoring activities are conducted to track coastline changes. Council shares this data with property owners to help them understand potential future risks.

Guidance: Although Council does not fund or build coastal protection structures on private land, it provides guidance on the necessary steps to protect property. This includes the requirement to consult with a Coastal Engineer and Town Planner and obtain the necessary approvals before commencing any works.

Council has invested in technical studies and monitoring to support Northern Reach landowners in addressing erosion risks. However, it is not responsible for protecting private land. This approach ensures that residents have the knowledge and tools they need to protect their properties effectively.

Council's approach to erosion management is to manage and protect public assets and infrastructure from hazards. There are differences between the Central and Northern Reach due to the specific needs and characteristics of each area. In the Central Reach, there are established structures like the flow slide barrier, which require maintenance to manage ongoing erosion. As these structures protect public assets, Council has a role in their upkeep.

In contrast, the Northern Reach does not have any public assets or infrastructure at direct risk from coastal hazards. Council has no obligation to protect private land. Council has undertaken a coastal process study to better understand the unique risks that impact the northern reach, Council provides technical studies, monitoring, and guidance to support property owners. However, the protection of private land remains the responsibility of individual owners. This distinction reflects the nature of erosion risks and public versus private responsibility for managing coastal impacts.

As a private property owner, you are responsible for:

1. Protecting your land from erosion, such as building and maintaining seawalls or other structures.
2. Ensuring compliance with regulations. Any coastal protection works must comply with the Planning Act 2016, Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 and Marine Parks Act 2004. It's your responsibility to obtain the necessary permits.
3. Consulting a Coastal Engineer and Town Planner to ensure your plans meet legal and regulatory requirements.
4. Financing and arranging the construction and maintenance of protective structures.

By fulfilling these responsibilities, you ensure your property is protected and legally compliant.

Council recommends collaborating with your neighbours to share erosion protection costs. Working together has several benefits. Collaboration not only reduces costs but also improves the overall effectiveness and durability of erosion protection works as well as erosion management sustainability.

Council will continue to undertake high-level foreshore monitoring and collaborate with the University of Queensland (UQ) to further understand erosion risks. High-level satellite monitoring of erosion trends will be conducted and shared on our webpage, and we will partner with UQ on flow slide and Rainbow Channel research to provide valuable insights into coastal processes' dynamic nature.

If your property is at risk of storm/tide surge impact, it is important to take proactive steps to prepare. Council does not provide rock for private erosion protection. For immediate protection during a tidal surge, residents are encouraged to visit the Disaster Management Dashboard. Here, you can find helpful resources and guidance on preparedness, including:

• Sandbags: Sandbags can help mitigate the immediate impact of tide surges by creating a barrier to prevent water from flooding your property. Information on where to source sandbags and how to use them effectively is available the Dashboard.
• Disaster preparedness: The Disaster Management Dashboard provides detailed plans and checklists for preparing your property in the event of extreme weather events, including tidal surges.
• Stay informed: It is vital to monitor weather alerts and follow emergency services advice. The Dashboard will offer updates on potential surges and other coastal risks during Summer, ensuring you are well-prepared to act quickly if needed.

Taking these steps can help minimise property risks during a tide surge. While long-term erosion management is critical, these immediate actions are key to protecting your home during extreme weather events.