General News
25 November, 2025
Remedy for shifting sands
FIVE northern beaches will be enhanced and made more resilient in the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, with Cairns Regional Council approving a $2.02 million coastal recovery and restoration project.
The project will deliver essential dune restoration, revegetation and sand nourishment works at Holloways Beach, Trinity Beach, Kewarra Beach, Palm Cove and Ellis Beach through to June 2026, with assistance provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
The works aim to restore the natural coastline, strengthen dune systems and enhance the beaches’ ability to withstand future erosion and storm events, while supporting biodiversity and protecting valuable community assets.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said the investment would help safeguard both the region’s natural beauty and the lifestyle that comes with it.
“Our beaches are part of who we are. They’re the places locals love, families enjoy, and visitors come to experience,” she said.
“By protecting this precious natural asset, we’re strengthening the resilience of our beaches today and helping to ensure our coastline can withstand the challenges of tomorrow.”
Deputy mayor Brett Olds, whose division nine covers most of where the funding is being spent, told last week’s council meeting it was “better late than never”.
“It was two years ago that Jasper came through and we’re still getting some money coming through for these works,” he said.
“Some of its reimbursement for immediate works that we did but … I know it’s only $2m but these works will be valued by residents.
“Kewarra Beach is looking a lot better now. But I think this week they’re starting sand nourishment (works). Palm Cove will get some (sand) and there are revegetation works too.”
Division eight councillor Rhonda Coghlan said it was a couple of years since the city’s beaches were “absolutely smashed” … “and new waterways created and sculpted”.
“They’re very different to what they were two years ago. We have seen some beach nourishment, not enough. So, it’s great to see this couple of million dollars, although we all know that it doesn’t go very far with sand nourishment,” she said.
“It will be lovely to see our beaches returning to some kind of normality.”
The project will be delivered in partnership with local suppliers, supporting regional employment and ensuring the recovery effort strengthens both the local economy and the environment.
Council will carry out sand nourishment at Trinity Beach, Kewarra Beach and Palm Cove to rebuild natural dune profiles and improve foreshore stability, while a local contractor will undertake revegetation works at Holloways Beach, Kewarra Beach, Palm Cove and Ellis Beach using locally sourced native species.
Community planting events with local residents and Indigenous rangers will also form part of the program.
