Moffat Beach’s iconic and beloved Norfolk pine trees will be preserved as part of a major seawall reconstruction along the foreshore.

The seawall needs to be reconstructed after the western section was damaged by severe weather and rainfall in 2022, and the middle section damaged in early 2024.

The reconstructed seawall needs to be made wider, with a gentler slope to meet safety and engineering standards.

Community action group Save the Moffat Beachfront formed in July as an engagement initiative while Council considered the next steps for the restoration.

Save the Moffat Beachfront coordinator Emma Johnson said, while initial negotiations were tense, the group felt they had been “listened to and respected” by Council.

“We had 1500 people complete a survey on their thoughts about the seawall rebuild and what was needed to protect the character of the Moffat Beach foreshore and immediate greenspace, including the iconic Norfolk pines,” Ms Johnson said.

“Since we formed in July, we have had lots of correspondence with Council and completed a focus group in September.

“There were three options presented, one which was all landside and would take out the pines and green space, one which took more of the beach and a hybrid option where the seawall is broken into three segments which keeps the Norfolk but meets engineering standards.”

Ms Johnson said the “power of the people” has led to what she believed would be the best outcome for retaining the character of Moffat Beach while making the seawall safe again.

“This isn’t just a group of Moffat residents; we are formed by people from further afield who love Moffats and want it to maintain its sense of place, which includes the Norfolk pines,” she said.

“Our engagement with Council started off rocky but has ended with a final result that has well and truly taken into consideration what we petitioned Council for.”

Dozens of locals turned up to a Council-run drop-in session on Saturday November 30, at the Moffat Beach Park, to learn more information about the seawall reconstruction application.

The draft proposal will now be referred to the Queensland Government’s State Assessment and Referral Agency and Sunshine Coast Council’s Development Services to be assessed against the relevant acts and codes.

Sunshine Coast Division 2 Councillor Terry Landsberg said Council had sought to protect what made Moffat Beach special and its unique coastal atmosphere.

“Council has worked hard to find an alignment that attempts to retain the much-loved Norfolk pine trees, while minimising beach loss and disruption to the bay’s coastal processes,” Cr Landsberg said.

“To do this, Council has proposed a hybrid seawall design, that moves the wall out onto the beach between the central and the eastern end and then back into the parkland at the western end.”

Cr Landsberg said the hybrid option provided the best chance of preserving the Norfolk trees with the least impact to the beach and the park.

“The reconstructed seawall footprint is larger than the existing seawall to meet engineering standards, ensure the safety of our community and to ensure it lasts a long time,” he said.

“So, it is inevitable that we will lose a little of both the park and the beach – Council has done its best to balance the impact to these areas.”

A new ramp will be built at the western end of the seawall, to be used by Council and emergency vehicles accessing the beach.

It is planned to be less steep than the existing ramp and will also be available for people who are unable to use the stairs.

The beach access stairs will be replaced with slightly wider sets, so two people carrying surfboards can pass each other.

Council is working on a draft plan for the landscaping elements behind the seawall such as new trees, updated pathways, picnic tables and beach showers.

The community will have the opportunity to provide feedback on this early next year.

Cr Landsberg thanked the Moffat Beach Community Focus Group for its valuable contribution to the project.

“Council and its expert Coastal Engineering Consultant have worked diligently over the last few months to reach this point,” he said.

“The Community Focus Group members have volunteered their time to represent the community and meet with Council.

“Group members vary from longstanding Moffat Beach locals to business representatives.

“They have shared local insights and values and had constructive discussions on the project’s issues and opportunities.”