Posted on July 8, 2026
Gold Coast considers expanding its coastal defenses with new artificial reefs and other structures to reduce erosion threatening some of Australia’s most famous beaches.
Gold Coast, in the Australian state of Queensland, is home to about 57 kilometers of beaches that attract millions of visitors every year. But this postcard faces a growing challenge: increasingly intense storms, frequent swells, and the continuous loss of sand have accelerated erosion in various stretches of the coastline.
After the impacts caused by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred in 2025, which removed millions of cubic meters of sand from the coastal strip, local authorities began discussing new engineering solutions to protect the beaches in the long term. According to the ABC News Australia portal, among the alternatives being analyzed are the construction of new submerged artificial reefs, structures that reduce the energy of the waves before they reach the coast, as well as the possibility of larger permanent works in some critical points.
Storm removed about 4 million cubic meters of sand
In March 2025, ex-tropical cyclone Alfred caused one of the most severe erosion episodes recently recorded on the Gold Coast. According to the city council, approximately 4 million cubic meters of sand were displaced by the waves, damaging beach accesses, dunes, and part of the coastal infrastructure.
Recovery began with dredging and sand pumping operations to rebuild the beach strip, but municipal technicians themselves stated that complete recovery could take up to three years, depending on sea conditions.
The idea is to reduce the force of the waves before they reach the beach
Instead of relying solely on periodic sand replenishment, engineers advocate expanding the use of submerged structures. These artificial reefs are built at a certain distance from the beach and remain below the water surface most of the time.
Its main function is to ensure that part of the waves lose energy before reaching the sandy shore, reducing erosion during swells and storms. As they remain practically invisible to those observing the beach, the visual impact is much smaller than that of concrete walls or traditional breakwaters.
Palm Beach has already received an artificial reef with 60,000 tons of rocks
The Gold Coast already has an example of this type of solution. Between 2019 and 2020, the Palm Beach Shoreline Project was completed, considered the largest artificial beach nourishment and coastal protection project ever executed by the city. The work included:
- Construction of an artificial reef with approximately 60,000 tons of rocks;
- Replenishment of large volumes of sand on the beach;
- Reinforcement of existing coastal structures;
- Modeling of the work to also preserve the quality of the waves for surfing.
The reef was installed about 330 meters from the coast and is approximately 144 meters wide. According to the project managers, its function is to increase sand retention and reduce the effects of erosion during major storms.
