Coastal hazard erosion prone area

Key Finding

Coastal erosion, caused by waves, tidal currents, channel migration and sediment supply changes, is a natural feature of sandy coasts.

Queensland is particularly vulnerable to coastal erosion because of its extensive beaches and sandy landforms, and exposure to cyclones.

Erosion vulnerability of the coast has been determined in most areas and a climate change sea level rise factor of 0.8 of a metre by 2100 has been incorporated into hazard mapping.

While coastal ecosystems are well adapted to coastal erosion, it is a risk for human settlements on the coast. This either sees erosion protection measures such as seawalls built or loss of the development. Development activity in erosion-prone areas is regulated to minimise the risk to people and property and to preserve the natural coastal processes, landforms and vegetation which buffer communities from erosion.

Notable examples of coastal erosion in 2019 include:

• Severe erosion from flood discharge and a long period of elevated wave and ocean water level conditions from Cardwell to the Torres Strait, associated with the north Queensland monsoon event of early 2019. Coastal recovery work is being funded under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
• Although Severe Tropical Cyclone Oma caused extensive beach erosion along the south-east Queensland coast, more severe erosion was averted as the approaching cyclone recurved away from the Australian coast.

More information:

• Coastal hazard maps

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals’ targets

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