Great Keppel Island’s beaches have been hit hard by erosion over the years. You might remember 10 years ago when several holiday cabins were lost to the ocean during Cyclone Marcia. Since then, there’s been ongoing attempts to shore up the beaches and coastline of our tropical island beauty. The latest shoreline management plan put in place, several giant sandbags, needs a succession plan and Livingstone Shire Council is on to it.
The Council are calling for tenders to put together a business case and preliminary design for a Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP). The SEMP will be a key tool in future applications for funding to Government bodies, aimed at securing funding to protect the island’s shoreline.
Mayor Adam Belot says proceeding to tender is a practical step that lets the Council firm up the options, costs, and benefits so the project can be ready to secure funding to progress to detailed design and construction.
“We’re working closely with the State and our island stakeholders to make sure the solution is robust and environmentally responsible,” Mayor Belot said. Let’s hope a solution can be found soon so we don’t lose any more accommodation to the ocean.