Beaches & Coastal Management

6 Easy Steps to Grow Your Esplanade

1. Let debris collect on the high tide line
2. Install sand traps
3. Plant coastal vegetation
4. Don’t mow coastal vegetation or plant landscape grasses
5. Use public pedestrian paths
6. Take your green waste to the tip

Download our 6 Easy Steps to Grow Your Esplanade factsheet for more information.

Arcadia Coastcare

Arcadia - Magnetic Island Coastcare

Arcadia Coastcare is a volunteer community group who help look after natural areas on public land at Arcadia, Magnetic Island.
​
Their website provides information on the following:

• Arcadia’s Natural Areas
• Arcadia’s Native Plants and Animals
• Arcadia’s Landscape and Catchment
• Wulgurukaba Traditional Owners
• Photo Gallery.

The Arcadia Coastcare group have created a Self-Guided Nature booklet with monies raised from the purchase of the booklet going to the continued work of Magnetic Island Nature Care Association.

If you’re heading to Magnetic Island? Grab yourself a copy of the booklet from one the local resellers:

• Arcadia Newsagent
• The Old Island Nursery
• Smugglers Wine Bar
• Magnetic Museum
• Mary Who Bookshop
• NQ Dry Tropics Nursery
• Magnetic Island Ferries.

Dogs on Beaches

Many shorebirds travel thousands of kilometres to get to our beaches.  If chased by dogs they may die of exhaustion.  Nesting birds chased by dogs may abandon their nests.  Walking your dog on a leash around shorebirds may save their lives.

• Dogs for Shorebirds (PDF, 2.4 MB)
• Off leash Areas

Vehicles on Beaches and Esplanades

Driving on a beach can damage the natural beach environment and endanger other beach users.  Please find information below on where you can drive a vehicle and a factsheets on the dos and don’ts on our shorelines.

• Vehicles on our Beaches - Contacts Factsheet (PDF, 1.9 MB)
• Vehicles on our Beaches Maps (PDF, 9.7 MB)

Fires on Beaches

Fires are permitted in Council Esplanades only where a fireplace or barbecue has been constructed by Council.  Fires on beaches adjacent to a residential area are not recommended.  Serious injuries have been caused from people walking over old fire pits that haven’t been put out properly.

Horses on Beaches

Horse riding can occur on Townsville beaches below the high water mark except anywhere along The Strand beach or near to a public swimming area such as a life guard patrolled beach or stinger enclosure.

Horse riding is not permitted within any Council Esplanades down to the high water mark.

A designated horse exercise area is located at Pallarenda from the 3 Mile Creek car park south to Beach Access number 10 where the dog off leash area begins.

Horse riding access on Saunders Beach is via the southern most beach access path at the end of Cay Street where riders may ride south on the beach only and not north in front of residential properties.

Guidelines for horse riders:

• Keep away from residential areas
• Keep a safe distance from pedestrians
• Stay on the firm intertidal sand and off the soft sand and coastal vegetation above high tide
• Try to exercise horses at low tide
• Riders are required to clean up their animals waste the same as cats and dogs

Marine Algal Blooms

Algal blooms are common seasonal events in North Queensland's coastal environments between August and December when increased temperatures, sunlight and other environmental factors are favourable to growth.

Algae play an important ecological role in marine and estuarine environments. Some blooms have the potential to be harmful to humans and other animals while other blooms may only cause a nuisance impact such as an unpleasant odour.

In North Queensland, the most common naturally occurring algal blooms are caused by Trichodesmium species. This alga generally isn't harmful but can be unsightly and smell quite ‘fishy’.

Identification: Trichodesmium species washed ashore may appear red, brown, blue, green or even purple colours. On the sea surface, it can look a bit like sprinkled saw dust or an oil/paint spill. But unlike oil if a stick's dipped into a Trichodesmium bloom it won't attach to it. Also, when a stick's removed from oil, a hole will remain in the oil from the stick but it immediately close's if the material's Trichodesmium spp. Blooms washed ashore generally disappear in a few days.

Problems: The most serious problem is that it depletes the oxygen content of the water in restricted areas like creeks closed to the sea at low tide which can kill the fish. It's also really "fishy" smelling.

Don't touch it! - Blooms of Trichodesmium spp. can irritate your skin so avoid touching or ingesting it. If you come in contact with a bloom it can easily be washed off with running water.

Shoreline erosion management plans

A Shoreline Erosion Management Plan or SEMP is the Queensland State Governments’ preferred method for local councils to address coastal erosion issues. A SEMP provides a recommended plan that can be used in an effort to protect coastal property, buildings, roads etc.

Why a SEMP?

A SEMP ensures that the best plan for managing the shoreline is created by using the skills of coastal experts and involving all relevant stakeholders and authorities (Great Barrier Reef Marine Protection Authority, Department of Environment and Heritage Protection etc.). This means that if shoreline erosion management projects happen in the area there is already a plan in place that has been agreed on by Council, State Government and Federal Government. This ensures that the best possible erosion management is undertaken and makes it easier to get approval to do the work.

Below are the SEMP for Townsville shorelines.

• Shoreline Erosion Management Plan - Cungulla (PDF, 4.7 MB)
• Shoreline Erosion Management Plan - Nelly Bay (PDF, 8.2 MB)
• Shoreline Erosion Management Plan - Rowes Bay (PDF, 19.0 MB)
• Shoreline Erosion Management Plan - Horseshoe Bay (PDF, 19.0 MB)
• Saunders Beach – Assessment of Coastal Erosion Mitigation Options (PDF, 4.2 MB)

Stranded Marine Animals

Stranded marine animals can include turtles, sea snakes, sharks, dugongs, dolphins and whales. If the animal is alive you need to contact the RSPCA using: 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625).

If the animal is dead, report it to Council on 13 48 10.

Shark Control in Townsville

Due to a recent Federal Court decision, the Queensland Government has removed shark control equipment from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and has installed additional equipment outside the marine park in select locations.

Shark control equipment remains in place adjacent The Strand.

Shark control equipment is no longer in place off Magnetic Island Beaches and Pallarenda.

Council’s Stinger Net provider will be installing Stinger Net Swimming Enclosures at the following locations in November:

• The Strand
• Pallarenda
• Alma Bay
• Horseshoe Bay
• Picnic Bay
• Balgal Beach

Installation of Shark Smart signage by Qld Boating and Fisheries Patrol commenced late September 2019 with the following simple safety information guidelines to minimise the risk of a shark attack:

• Don’t swim at dawn or dusk.
• Always swim in clear water (not in murky water, busy anchorages, estuary mouths or canals).
• Don’t throw food scraps or fish waste overboard (including in anchorages or where people are swimming).
• Don’t swim where fish are being cleaned.
• Swim, surf, snorkel or dive with a buddy.
• Follow local signage and swim between the flags at patrolled beaches.

For more SharkSmart tips, visit qld.gov.au/SharkSmart or call 13 25 23.

For the latest information on the beach locations of shark control equipment in Townsville and Magnetic Island, please visit https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries/shark-control-program/shark-control-equipment or call the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on 13 25 23.

The Strand & Stinger Net locations

Information on The Strand and Stinger Net locations can be located here.

Picnic Bay Jetty – Lighting Project

Townsville City Council and Transport and Main Roads are working together to activate the Picnic Bay Jetty with sustainable light features.

This installation features new architectural lighting technology to beautify and activate the Picnic Bay Jetty area. It also complements the path light upgrades on the jetty and is being utilised to innovate and appreciate sustainable lighting.

Download our Picnic Bay Jetty – Lighting Project factsheet (PDF, 1.0 MB) for more information.