Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP) for Four Mile Beach and Newell Beach
Douglas Shire Council is developing a Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP) for Four Mile Beach and Newell Beach.
The SEMP will provide a coordinated approach to managing coastal erosion at these locations over the next 10 to 20 years. It considers coastal processes, shoreline changes, erosion risks, community values and the available coastal adaptation and management options.
Project Status
The Draft Shoreline Erosion Management Plan is currently being finalised.
Community consultation on the Draft SEMP will take place in November 2026.
The community will have an opportunity to review and provide feedback on the Draft Shoreline Erosion Management Plan in November 2026.
The project team will visit key locations at Newell Beach and Four Mile Beach to:
- share the proposed approaches for managing coastal erosion
- explain the findings of the technical assessments
- answer questions about the Draft SEMP
- hear feedback from residents, businesses and other interested community members.
Feedback will also be able to be provided online through an online survey.
Consultation dates, locations and online participation details will be published on this page when confirmed.
Additional Information
What Is the Shoreline Erosion Management Plan?
A Shoreline Erosion Management Plan is a comprehensive plan designed to manage and mitigate coastal erosion at a specific location over a 10 to 20-year period.
Douglas Shire Council is commencing a Shoreline Erosion Management Plan for Four Mile Beach and Newell Beach. The Plan will explore coastal processes and develop management options to reduce the risk of coastal erosion.
What’s Already Happened?
Douglas Shire Council completed the Resilient Coast Strategic Plan (Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy) in 2019. It outlines a plan to better understand current and future impacts of coastal hazards and long-term strategies to make our coastlines more resilient.
Four Mile Beach and Newell Beach were two areas highlighted in the Resilient Coast Strategic Plan as being increasingly prone to emerging coastal hazards from the present day to 2100. This Strategic Plan recommended a Shoreline Erosion Management Plan for these beaches to support future open coast erosion mitigation works as a priority strategic action.
Council also completed Foreshore Management Plans for Four Mile Beach in 2021 and Newell Beach in 2022, helping to protect, maintain, and manage access and use of the coastline and foreshore.
Through community engagement undertaken as part of the Resilient Coast Strategic Plan and the Foreshore Management Plans for Four Mile Beach and Newell Beach, we have valuable insights into what our community values most about this coastline. Residents place high importance on the natural beauty, tropical atmosphere, and sense of seclusion created by the established coastal vegetation buffer. Our community particularly appreciates the coconut palms, shaded areas, open parklands, and safe spaces for children. The community also recognises the role both beaches contribute towards the Shire’s attraction as a unique and accessible tourist destination. The foreshore is widely used for exercise, relaxation, and social activities, with many residents viewing it as an extension of their backyard.
What’s Happening Now?
Council has received financial assistance from the Queensland Government and the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) through the QCoast2100 Program to support the development of a Shoreline Erosion Management Plan for Four Mile Beach and Newell Beach over the next year. In the coming months, we’ll be:
- Working with the community to validate the values, aspirations and concerns already identified for Newell Beach and Four Mile Beach, and to capture anything new
- Assessing the local coastal processes, shoreline changes and erosion risks at Newell Beach and Four Mile Beach
- Identifying management options that align with local priorities and technical findings
- Engaging with our community to seek feedback on the Draft Shoreline Erosion Management and refine the preferred management approach (where appropriate)
Community input to date
Community drop-in sessions were held at Newell Beach on 8 December 2025 and Port Douglas on 9 December 2025. An online survey was also conducted during December 2025 and January 2026.
This engagement provided valuable information about how the community uses and values the coastline, as well as local concerns and experiences relating to coastal erosion.
Previous engagement has shown that the community places significant value on:
- the natural beauty and tropical character of the beaches
- established coastal vegetation and shaded areas
- coconut palms and open parklands
- safe and accessible spaces for children and families
- opportunities for exercise, relaxation and social activities
- the importance of the beaches to the Douglas Shire’s lifestyle and visitor experience.
This community feedback is being considered alongside the technical assessments in developing the Draft SEMP.
Updates
Find the latest updates and information about the project below.
