Townsville City Council is looking to make the Horseshoe Bay shore more resilient to erosion with a new management plan endorsed today.

Community Safety and Environment Committee Chair Cr Margie Ryder said that while annual sand transfers have effectively repaired the beach each year there is more that can be done to complement and improve the effectiveness of these works and address the underlying issues. Cr Ryder said.

“The Horseshoe Bay Shoreline Erosion Management Plan has a strong emphasis on management through things like revegetation, reprofiling the Esplanade Park and frontal dune to redirect water flows away from the beach and increasing the amount of sand transferred in the annual program.

“Council is also proposing to upgrade the stormwater management in the area, undertake periodic monitoring surveys prior and after cyclone season, and establish a coastal defence line.”

Local Councillor Ann-Maree Greaney said Council had done plenty of community consultation while developing this plan and it was a very important part of the process.

“Horseshoe Bay is a key tourism destination on Magnetic Island and the management of erosion is critical to keeping the Island visitor ready year-round,” Cr Greaney said.

“That is why Council staff have been working with Horseshoe Bay users and Magnetic Island residents to get this right – there has to be a balance between maintaining the use on the beach and managing any coastal erosion.

“Endorsing this plan is the first step in making sure that Horseshoe Bay is resilient to erosion and can remain a popular tourist destination.

“It follows on from the groyne construction completed by Council at Nelly Bay which now enables Council to begin beach and Esplanade restoration there.”

The Horseshoe Bay Shoreline Erosion Management Plan can be viewed here.