Royal HaskoningDHV has been engaged by the City of Gold Coast to carry out the design of beach nourishment works at the iconic Palm Beach.
This project forms part of the largest offshore dredging and beach nourishment project in the city’s history, reported Royal HaskoningDHV.
The Gold Coast Beach Nourishment Project (GCBNP) will increase the volume of sand available along vulnerable sections of coastline, providing a much-needed buffer against future storms and coastal erosion. Together, Palm Beach and the beaches from Miami to Surfers Paradise will receive approximately 3 million cubic meters of sand.
Evan Watterson, Metocean Manager of Royal HaskoningDHV Australia , said: “ Using a ‘Working with Nature’ approach, our beach nourishment design included innovative pattern placements to mimic natural rhythmic sand bar formations.”
“ We developed the approach as a result of detailed investigations into the long-term morphology at Palm Beach. We adopted this approach to ensure effective sand delivery at the same time as enhancing surfing amenity. ”
Royal HaskoningDHV’s involvement in the nourishment project is part of the Palm Beach Shoreline Project – a holistic plan to provide a sustainable solution for the ongoing protection of the beach and beach infrastructure. The project also includes the design of an artificial reef with both coastal protection and surfing amenity objectives.
Due for completion in October 2017, the beach nourishment project is already underway using the 111 meter Balder R hopper dredge owned by Danish dredging company Rhode Nielsen.