The vast extent of erosion on the Gold Coast has been revealed in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Despite an estimated five million cubic metres of sand disappearing into the sea, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate believes the seaside region can be restored in time for the Easter holidays.
“Eighty percent of our beach is gone into the ocean,” he said.
But he’s confident things will go back to normal in time for the school holidays.
“Please come and visit us, visit Queensland. The beach will be open and it'll be great,” he said.
“We will dredge the sand that’s in the ocean and shoot it through, pump it through the sky.”
The technique used will be one known as “rainbow-style dredging,” where a barge will uplift sand that has been pulled away from the shore, through the air, and back onto land.
Last year, the Easter holidays at the Gold Coast shot $2.5 billion into the state’s coffers.
On average, the Gold Coast takes in $500 million a week from tourism alone.
Mayor Tate announced on March 13 that Burleigh, Greenmount, and Coolangatta beaches had reopened so far, with more announcements to follow.
Lifeguard services have resumed at these beaches.
“We have a big job ahead of us,” Tate said.
“If we are blessed with good weather, we will get close to our prediction ... that our beaches will be well and truly opened ... well ahead of Easter holidays.”
Tate said the erosion was worse in 2013 when ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald tore through, so some local residents claimed it was the worst they had seen in 50 years.
Either way, it is in the city’s best interests to get things back in order quickly.
Former Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Daniel Gschwind told AAP the longer the erosion lasted, the more it would cost.
“Tourism is a perishable good if the income isn’t generated on a day or the weekend, it’s not recoverable—it’s gone,” he said.
Gschwind was a little more reserved regarding the optimistic approach towards fixing erosion quickly.
“I think that (erosion) will have an impact on visitor numbers,” he said.
“People will be ready for a holiday and ready for a break for Easter, but it’s certainly not an ideal circumstance with the beaches that play such an important role in the promotion of Queensland and the attraction of the Gold Coast.”
The Easter school holidays will run from April 5 to 21.
