Livingstone Shire Council Advocates for Shoreline Erosion Management Plan on Great Keppel Island
Livingstone Shire Council is taking proactive steps to protect and enhance the natural beauty and resilience of Great Keppel Island (GKI) by advocating for the development of a Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP) for Putney and Fisherman’s Beaches.
As part of Council’s commitment to implementing its Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy – Our Living Coast, this initiative aims to address ongoing shoreline erosion concerns while supporting long-term sustainable development on the island.
Livingstone Shire Council Mayor Adam Belot emphasised the importance of this initiative.
“Great Keppel Island is a treasured destination, and it is vital that we take action now to manage erosion and protect its future,” Mayor Belot said.
“The sandbags installed post cyclone Marcia were an appropriate solution at the time to protect property and assets on the island, but we need to focus on a long-term solution for the future of this beautiful part of the world.”
Development and Environment Committee Co-Chair Councillor Pat Eastwood said the development of a Shoreline Erosion Management Plan is a critical step in the future of the Great Keppel Island.
“The SEMP will help us better understand the challenges and identify practical, long-term solutions to safeguard the island’s coastline, benefiting both the environment and local tourism,” Cr Eastwood said.
Council’s Our Living Coast Strategy highlights the need for adaptation measures to protect the region’s coastline from the impacts of erosion and climate change. Developing the SEMP is a key step in implementing these measures, ensuring that infrastructure and land use on GKI are resilient and appropriate for the evolving coastal conditions.
The Great Keppel Island (Woppa) Concept Master Plan delivered by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government, and Planning reinforces the need for technical studies and planning initiatives to support sustainable maritime access and coastal management.
Maritime Safety Queensland is currently undertaking technical studies to evaluate options to improve maritime access to the island and Council will continue to collaborate with the State Government to integrate the outcomes of the SEMP with the broader GKI Rejuvenation Project.
Council remains committed to working with all stakeholders to advocate for responsible and sustainable coastal management, ensuring that Great Keppel Island continues to be a vibrant and resilient destination for generations to come.