Strand Foreshore Development

The Townsville Strand foreshore development officially opened in October 1999, redefining Townsville's appeal as a tropical resort city. The opening weekend attracted over 80,000 residents and visitors to the city to view the results of the multi million dollar development which is the largest beach and headland creation project of its kind ever developed in Australia.

Ironically the development evolved due to destructive monsoonal storms in 1997 and 1998. These storms caused significant damage and compromised the integrity of the rock wall. The Townsville City Council decided to redevelop The Strand by developing the beaches as a means of foreshore protection. The decision to proceed was made, notwithstanding the fact that the development would occur directly in a marine environment with significant natural fisheries and world heritage values.

The aims of the redevelopment were to:

• Secure the coastline with a civil structure designed and constructed to withstand a 1:100 year storm event,
• Restore the foreshore using a technique designed to minimise the need for future wall maintenance and sand replenishment,
• Redevelop by reinstating a beach alignment slightly offshore, providing greater opportunities for improved amenity and passive recreation opportunities,
• Redevelop to create stable "sandy beach" compartments and extend active recreation such as swimming and fishing,
• Provide all of the above and, at the same time, minimise the risk of environmental harm.

Works were undertaken along the 2.2km stretch of Townsville's main beach. These works included the reconstruction of seawalls, beach renourishment, reclamation of land from the sea, and improved storm protection along the length of the beach. The project involved significant landscaping including the construction of a boulevard, downsizing of roadways, additional pedestrian areas, play areas, foreshore park land, theme lighting, some commercial opportunity and facilities to cater for the wider interest groups within the community with particular emphasis being given to people with disabilities.

The project involved the construction of three headlands, which feature recreational facilities, restaurants and headquarters for lifesavers. The headlands were devised for a dual role. Apart from their public amenities facility, the headlands protect the new seawall and beach. They are in areas that have been most vulnerable to cyclone damage and are designed to trap sand and break the force of waves.

In all 250,000 tonnes of armour rock, 400,000 tonnes of sand, 390,000 tonnes of fill, 70,000 square metres of turf, 16,000 trees and shrubs, 900 palms, and 22,500 native groundcover plants were required to complete the protection program.

The finished project ensures the protection of the beaches and rock wall whilst providing greater opportunities for improved amenity and passive recreation opportunities.

The Strand now offers a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for locals and visitors to Townsville. Its inclusiveness of people of various ages and interests, visual attractiveness, proximity to the sea and city, cleanliness and sense of safety, and range recreational and social opportunities available to the community have all been highlighted as attributes. On an average week over 25,500 people visit the Strand to take advantage of the ambiance and free amenities available for use by the public. Over 1.3 million people visit The Strand each year.

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Features

The specific features of The Strand provide for a wide range of activities including:

• Plenty of space and amenities for family picnics,
• The Promenade - 2.2km of landscaped, well-lit pathway gently winding along the seafront,
• Park areas - four headlands, Strand Park, and the grassed areas along the Promenade,
• Four beach areas,
• Stinger resistant enclosures - two stinger resistant enclosures (November - May),
• Rock Pool - tidal swimming with wheelchair access,
• Playgrounds - three (one enclosed) catering to different age groups,
• Teenrager - equipment for teens designed to assist in surfboard balance and hand games to increase hand and eye coordination,
• Basketball half court,
• Exercise equipment - eight strategically placed exercise stations along the Promenade,
• The Pier - 60 metre pier provides a venue for the keen fisherman,
• Fishing platform at the Rock Pool,
• Water Play Park - specially designed water based play activity,
• Space Net - Constructed entirely of rope, standing nine metres high and covering 18 metres of sand, the structure looks like a giant spider web,
• Tobruk Pool renovations,
• Artworks along The Strand - 13 main pieces are located along the Promenade,
• BBQ’s and plenty of space for family picnics, and
• Public toilets and showers

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