Livingstone Shire Council Progresses Towards Enhancing Coastal Resilience and Accessibility at Emu Park

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Published
4th September 2024

Livingstone Shire Council is taking proactive steps to enhance the coastal resilience and accessibility of the southern end of Emu Park by developing a comprehensive master plan.

This initiative aims to support the area's sustainability, particularly around the Emu Park Surf Lifesaving Club (SLSC), while preserving and enhancing the natural environment.

The Masterplan will identify key features, including:

  • Seawall Construction: A critical measure to protect the coastline from erosion and storm surges, ensuring long-term stability for the community and infrastructure.
  • Vehicle Access for Authorised Users: Ensuring that essential vehicles, such as those belonging to the lifesaving club, can access the area safely and efficiently.
  • Supporting Land Tenure: Establishing secure land tenure for the Emu Parl Surf Lifesaving Club (SLSC) over the land adjacent to the southern end of the building, reinforcing the club's presence and its ability to serve the community.
  • Future Pathway Opportunities: Exploring the possibility of extending a walking pathway along the Esplanade to Shelly Beach, enhancing pedestrian access and promoting outdoor recreation.

As part of this initiative, Council has undertaken the removal of selected trees in the foredune area just south of the Emu Park SLSC. This effort aims to prepare the area for replanting with low-growing, native plants endemic to the location, thereby maintaining the ecological balance and supporting local biodiversity.

The replanting process is being carefully managed in collaboration with Council’s Community Native Plant Nursery. The plants considered for this location are species that naturally occur in the foredune area and will be placed in harmony with existing native vegetation zones. The selection includes:

  • Coastal Love Grass
  • Spinifex Grass
  • Blady Grass
  • Pigface
  • Goats Foot Beach Vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
  • Beach Bean (Canavalia rosea)
  • Yellow Beach Bean (Vigna marina)

Mayor Adam Belot highlighted the importance of this project.

"This Masterplan is not just about enhancing infrastructure, but about ensuring that our coastline remains resilient and accessible for future generations,” Mayor Belot said.

“The careful selection of native plants underscores our commitment to preserving the area's natural beauty and ecological integrity while supporting community activities.

“It is unfortunate that Council’s efforts to remove and replant vegetation, which was authorised by the CEO, has been met with resistance from certain areas of the community. However, it is important to note that planting on public dunes is illegal.

“The decision to transplant seedlings which had been planted without Council’s input/approval, was to ensure that these seedlings would not be uprooted in the future roll out of the Esplanade Project”.

“We look forward to working closely with the community throughout the development of this master plan and will continue to provide updates as the project progresses.”