Coastal Hazard Assessment · MCU25/0087

                                           17 The Esplanade, Sunshine Beach                              Report


      No rainfall; and,
      Winds were light (<6kts) from east to south-easterly direction.

The objective of the site inspection was to confirm the location of the ‘seaward toe of the frontal dune’
(toe of dune). The toe of dune was mapped using a handheld GPS to assist with determining the
erosion prone area width at the site. The location of the toe of dune was determined based on the
guidance provided in the ‘Coastal Hazards Technical Guide’ (Department of Environment and
Heritage Protection, 2013) and the notes of the erosion prone area plan NOS3A dated 8 July 2015
prepared by the Department of Environment and Science (refer Appendix B). Figure 2-2 shows the
mapped toe of dune (on 7th October 2025) along Sunshine Beach adjacent to the site.
Photographs P1-P9 taken during the site inspection were georeferenced with the locations shown in
Figure 2-2.
Photograph P1 (refer Figure 2-3) shows the access road at the southern end of The Esplanade,
leading towards the site. The Esplanade provides the only legal point of access to 17 The Esplanade
and neighbouring properties. The dunal area (left of photograph) is densely vegetated and has a
constructed beach access track to the beach.
Photographs P2 and P3 (refer Figure 2-4 and Figure 2-5) show the area surrounding the site. The
dwelling has direct frontage onto The Esplanade road. The vegetation between The Esplanade road
and the beach consists of a mix of low shrubs and mature trees that assist in stabilising the dune.
From this vantage point, the view seaward reveals the elevation difference between the property and
the beach level.
Photograph P4 (refer Figure 2-6) shows the local access road looking north along The Esplanade.
The vegetated dune east of the road (right of photograph) is shown in the right of the photograph.
Photograph P5 (refer Figure 2-7) shows a typical example of the dune vegetation composition and
density seaward of the site.
Photograph P6 (refer Figure 2-8) shows the vegetation and elevation change looking from the beach
west towards the site.
Photograph P7 (refer Figure 2-9) shows the frontal dune and toe of dune looking north from the
beach seaward of the site.
Photograph P8 (refer Figure 2-10) shows the frontal dune and toe of dune looking south seaward of
17 The Esplanade, Sunshine Beach.
Photograph P9 (refer Figure 2-11) taken from the middle of the beach shows the beach width and
general conditions on the day of the site inspection.
The site inspection undertaken on 7th October 2025 confirmed that dune system seaward of 17 The
Esplanade, Sunshine Beach is in a stable condition. The beach conditions indicated that Tropical
Cyclone Alfred in March 2025 had caused some beach erosion. However, the beach was actively
recovering with the frontal dune building with trapped wind-blown sand.




                                                                252662-MN-RP-CO-0001B | 10 November 2025 | Page 3