Australia: Final Stage of Maroochydore Replenishment Underway

Final Stage of Maroochydore Replenishment Underway

Revegetation of the dunes along Maroochydore Beach is underway this week, as council begins planting the first of more than 17,000 native species to help build dunal resilience following the sand-pumping.

Division 8 Councillor Jason O’Pray said the revegetation is an important part of the sand renourishment project.

“The sand-pumping has taken the beach from an eroded stretch of coffee rock back to the fantastic sandy beach we have previously known and loved,” he said.

“This revegetation is the next step in boosting resilience of the dunes and helping to protect public facilities and infrastructure along Alexandra Parade and Aerodrome Road during severe erosion events.

“We will revegetate just over 5850 square metres in total.”

Division 4 Councillor Chris Thompson said the plants would help stabilise sand on the newly formed dunes.

“Boosting the vegetation with native plants helps trap sand that is blown across the beach to kick start the natural dune building process,” he said.

Cr Thompson said the rest of the revegetation would occur at a community planting day in November.

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Press Release, October 21, 2013