Living Here
Coasts and Coastal Vegetation
Shoreline Erosion Management Plans
QCoast2100
Coastal vegetation and sand dunes
Pandanus dieback
The coastline of the Gladstone region supports a diverse range of natural and man-made assets, supporting our economy and lifestyle.
Shoreline Erosion Management Plans
Coasts and beaches are dynamic systems subject to the constant influence of wind, waves and tides. Erosion, accretion and storm tide events are natural processes that shape the coastline over short and long timeframes.
Council has developed Shoreline Erosion Management Plans (SEMPs) in consultation with our coastal communities to identify values associated with our coastal areas and how to manage threats to natural and man-made assets associated with coastal erosion.
BITS Shoreline Erosion Management Plan
QCoast2100
The QCoast2100 program is an initiative of the Queensland Government and Local Government Association of Queensland that assists local governments in planning for the potential impacts of coastal hazards associated with climate change.
Gladstone Regional Council has been awarded funding through the program to develop a long-term strategy to adapt to coastal hazards such as beach erosion and short or long-term tidal inundation.
The strategy development will include:
- Updating existing mapping on erosion and storm tide prone areas
- Understanding potential impacts on our coastline and coastal communities
- Developing a range of strategic actions to adapt to change
- Progressing conversations with our communities and other stakeholders and incorporating these values and ideas into the strategy.
We are currently in the scoping phase of the project.
Coastal vegetation and sand dunes
The foredunes, or the area directly behind the beach is a critical part of the dune ecosystem. It is essential to keep the foredunes intact and well covered with vegetation to maintain beach stability and minimise coastal erosion.
All dune plants, whether they are grasses, shrubs or trees growing in groups or by themselves have a role to play in stabilisation. Plants such as grasses and vines or obstructions such as fallen timber, trap windblown sand and help build the foredunes. The aerial parts of trees, such as the coastal she-oak obstruct the wind and absorb salt spray.
To maintain the health of our coastal foredunes it is important that dunes are managed correctly and treated as an important and delicate ecosystem. The foredunes are not recreational areas or extension of residents’ backyards and are instead important natural areas that if managed correctly will help protect the environment.
All plants (living or non-living) that grow on or adjacent to tidal lands are protected and regulated by Council and the Queensland Government and in some instances the Australian Government.
What you can do to protect our coastal foredunes:
- Do not establish turf within the foredunes, turf does not have the ability to trap wind-blown sand and cannot withstand burial or excessive salt spray
- Do not plant exotic garden plants within the foredunes
- Do not light fires on the beach or collect deadwood for use as firewood
- Stick to the official beach access tracks and do not sand board on the dunes, dune vegetation is susceptible to trampling and soil disturbances
- Do not drive on the dunes, dune vegetation cannot tolerate damage by vehicles
- Dispose of garden waste correctly and do not dump green waste in the foredunes
- Do not cut or prune trees growing within the foredunes. If you believe a tree is dangerous contact Council and an arborist will inspect it.
Pandanus dieback
Pandanus (Pandanus tectorius) is an iconic species growing on coastal dunes and headlands from north Queensland to New South Wales. Pandanus trees provide several important ecological services such as stabilising dunes and providing habitat and food for native animals.
Pandanus trees in parts of Queensland and New South Wales have been suffering from dieback since the 1990s, a condition mainly caused by infestations of the Pandanus leafhopper (Jamella australiae).
The leafhopper is endemic to north Queensland where it is controlled by predators not naturally present in our region. The insects feed on the trees’ sap and produce a sticky honeydew which encourages mould and fungal growth. The trees become weakened and susceptible to secondary infections and insects attach, which eventually kills them.
The parasitic wasp (Aphanomerus pusilius) is a natural predator of the leafhopper in its native range and has been introduced to southern Queensland and New South Wales as a biological control agent. Ensuring there are active populations of the wasp is considered the most effective long-term management for Pandanus dieback.