Gold Coast beaches are looking better and packing a bigger punch against wild weather as the city’s offshore dredging operations wrap up for the year.
The heavy-hitting vessel Trud R is set to depart local waters tonight, marking the successful conclusion of another massive coastal nourishment push.
Over the past six months, the specialised dredge has completed 1,156 loads, pumping an incredible 1.2 million cubic metres of sand back onto the city’s iconic shoreline.
Miami and Mermaid Beach received a combination of 797,740 cubic metres, while Surfers Paradise received 231,164 cubic metres and Main Beach gained 36,702 cubic metres.
Mayor Tom Tate highlighted the critical role the dredge plays in safeguarding the city’s tourism and coastal economy.
“The Trud R dredge has increased the volume of sand along the coastal strip from Miami to Main Beach,” Mayor Tom Tate said.
“Gold Coast beaches are one of the city’s most important assets contributing around $3.4 billion into our economy each year so taking proactive action for long-term sustainability is crucial.
“The additional sand has improved the resilience of these beaches to erosion and will provide greater protection during future storm events.”
Funded through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements by the Australian and Queensland governments, the works are part of ongoing recovery following Tropical Cyclone Alfred, bringing total post-cyclone sand restoration to nearly 3 million cubic metres.
