2021-01-18 GC - Item 3 - Attachment 1 - Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan for Community Consultation

Noosa North Shore and Teewah
Setting
Noosa North Shore and the Teewah township lay in the north-eastern part of Noosa Shire.

Noosa North Shore boasts outstanding natural beauty with pristine beaches, dramatic sand dune
systems, as well as coastal lowlands and wetlands adjacent to the Noosa River. The dynamics of
its open coast beaches is similar to those between Peregian Beach and Sunshine Beach,
consisting of approximately six kilometres of open sandy beach stretching between the Noosa
River Mouth and Second Cutting. Noosa North Shore provides residential and rural style home
sites, as well as significant areas zoned for environmental conservation. Noosa North Shore Beach
Campground sits directly behind the frontal dune with campsites close to the beachfront.

Teewah (see Figure 11) is the northern-most township along Noosa’s coastline. The township has
undergone low-levels of development in the form of single detached houses13, and sits adjacent to
beach frontage with a moderately vegetated dune area between the developed areas and the
shoreline. Despite having access constraints (due to the beach being the only official means of
access), Teewah is enjoyed by residents and visitors alike for the atmosphere that it provides of a
semi-remote coastal village of years gone by.


Risks - erosion
The beach adjacent to the Teewah township experiences erosion after large swell events,
temporarily exposing indurated sediments (commonly referred to as ‘coffee rock) beneath the
frontal dunes. This beach has historically recovered well after these events via natural coastal
processes. The low height frontal dunes mean the vegetated dune is going to be increasingly at
risk from coastal erosion events over time. By the year 2070 it is likely that the beach accesses,
the Esplanade (including the portion of beach used to reach the township), and eventually a portion
of private beachfront lots will be exposed to the effects of coastal erosion.

The southern portion of Teewah Beach already experiences periodic episodes of beach erosion,
with sand naturally replenishing over time. The wide beach and dune profiles means much of the
beach is considered low risk from coastal erosion. However, the backyards (beach-facing) of
approximately 102 lots are expected to be exposed to erosion risks by the year 2070.

In addition, the camp ground is expected to be increasingly exposed to erosion over the coming
decades. By the year 2070 it is likely that beach-fronting camp sites and other minor infrastructure
will be within the high erosion risk area.

Appendix 3 shows the change in risk profile across the area encompassing the Teewah Township
and along Teewah Beach as the area exposed to the effects of coastal erosion increases over
time. Table 7 provides a summary of the changing risk profile for six broad asset types within the
locality that are projected to be exposed to the effects of coastal erosion between present day and
2100.




13 There are approximately 102 dwellings in Teewah, many of which are leased as tourist accommodation.


Noosa Council – Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan 2020 - 2030 (community consultation version)    Page 42