Toolakea Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP)

ROUND 1 CONSULTATION NOW OPEN

Consultation period: Monday 2 - Monday 30 November 2026

Help Manage the Future of Our Coastline

We are inviting community members to share their local knowledge, experiences and priorities to help inform the plans.

Why is this plan being developed?

A SEMP provides a long-term approach to managing a changing coastline. It brings together technical information about coastal processes and erosion with local knowledge and community values. It also considers the effectiveness, costs and feasibility of different management approaches, as well as the roles and responsibilities of Council, residents and other stakeholders.

Local knowledge is an important part of developing the SEMP. Before detailed assessment of management options begins, Council wants to hear from Toolakea residents and the wider community about the changes they have observed, what they value about the area, their experiences, and what they believe is important to consider when planning for the future.

Your input will help ensure these local perspectives are understood and considered alongside the technical evidence as the SEMP is developed.

Understanding Your Local Coastline

Toolakea is a highly valued residential and recreational coastal area. Historical aerial photography, modelling, technical assessments and local experience show us that parts of the shoreline are retreating or eroding. This is particularly evident after recent king tides.

Coastal erosion can affect sand dunes and other coastal habitats. It can also impact parkland, roads, public infrastructure and residential property.

Council has invested significant effort and resources in managing localised erosion. This has included sand nourishment along sections of the publicly managed foreshore. These works provide an important short-term response to erosion. However, longer-term planning is also needed as the coastline continues to change to empower both Council and private residences with sound management options.

The SEMP will look beyond individual erosion events and plan proactively for the next 10–20 years. It will assess a range of management approaches and consider what may be appropriate now and what may be needed in the future.

This will help Council and the community make informed decisions about where, when and how to respond to coastal change.

In 2026, Council was successful in receiving more than $4m through the 2025 Coastline Rehabilitation Grant Program delivered by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

The SEMP development is separate to this funding package, which will see temporary nature-based solutions delivered to areas along Toolakea which were impacted by the 2025 North and Far North Monsoon Trough, while the SEMP formalises a long-term approach for both Council and private residences to manage the coast.

Have Your Say

We are seeking feedback to better understand:

• What you value most about your local coastline
• How you use the area
• Your observations of shoreline change and erosion
• Opportunities and challenges facing the coastline
• Community priorities for future shoreline management
• Important local knowledge that should be considered during planning

Whether you live in the area, visit regularly or use the beach for recreation, your feedback will help shape the development of the plans.

Community Information Session

Drop-in and speak with Council staff to learn more about the project and provide feedback.

What Happens Next?

This is the first stage of consultation for the Toolakea SEMP. No decisions about future management options have yet been made.

During Round 1, Council is seeking local knowledge, feedback and community input to help inform the development of the plans and understand what options would be suitable for the community.

Following consultation, Council will review the feedback received and undertake further technical investigations. Draft plans will then be prepared and presented to the community during Round 2 consultation for further feedback before the plans are finalised.