Overview
When talking to the Newell Beach community about foreshore infrastructure, we found that many in the community were concerned about vegetation degradation along the beach. Residents wanted better protection of the foreshore vegetation and called for tree planting in areas where vegetation was degraded and measures taken to prevent further destruction caused by people making random paths to access the beach, or people clearing trees on public land to create a sea view.
In response, Council will be preparing a Foreshore Management Plan for Newell Beach. The plan will cover the whole length of the foreshore and it will set out how to protect, maintain and manage the coastline and foreshore. The Foreshore Management Plan will contain, among other things:
- Description of the vegetation types
- Description of fauna found along the foreshore
- Weed species list
- Audit of beach access points – formal and informal
- Dune protection activities such as revegetation and recommended plant species
- Maps which clearly define access points to the beach and priority area for revegetation.
It is one of five foreshore plans being developed; the others being Wonga Beach, Cooya Beach, Four Mile Beach and Oak Beach.
Cost of Project
Council has secured funding from the Queensland Government’s Reef Assist Program designed to create nature-based employment opportunities which delivering positive environmental outcomes.
Project Updates
April 2022
Five foreshore management plans will help protect the environmental values and improve the liveability of coastlines in Douglas Shire.
Douglas Shire Council has now adopted foreshore management plans for Wonga Beach, Newell Beach, Cooya Beach, Four Mile Beach and Oak Beach.
The Foreshore Management Plan for Newell Beach can been viewed below
May 2021
The Draft Foreshore Management Plan for Newell Beach has now been released for public comment and a copy may be accessed at the link below.
There will be several opportunities for community members to talk to the Plan authors. Details of all drop in sessions are listed below. The Newell Beach consultation session is planned for Tuesday 15 June 9:00am to 11:00am at the Mossman Golf Club Meeting Room. People are welcome to attend any sessions to chat about any of the five locations.
Comments are requested by Friday 25 June 2021 and may be emailed to Gaye Scott.
| Wonga Beach | Monday 14 June 5:30pm to 7pm | Wonga Beach State School – Resource Centre |
| Newell Beach | Tuesday 15 June 9:00am to 11:00am | Mossman Golf Club Meeting Room |
| Cooya Beach | Tuesday 15 June 12:30pm to 3:00pm | Foreshore Area – Playground area opposite 13 Bougainvillea |
| Four Mile Beach | Tuesday 15 June 5:00pm to 6:30pm | Port Douglas Community Hall |
| Oak Beach | Wednesday 16 June 11am – 2pm | Foreshore Area – southern end |
April, 2021
A survey was released seeking information about how people used the foreshore, what they valued about it and their memories and knowledge. Over 300 people responded and the findings will be used to draft the foreshore management plan. The Draft Foreshore Management Plan will be released at a later date for comment and if you would like to receive an email when this occurs, please register your interest with Gaye Scott
April, 2021
A survey was released seeking information about how people used the foreshore, what they valued about it and their memories and knowledge. Over 300 people responded and the findings will be used to draft the foreshore management plan. The Draft Foreshore Management Plan will be released at a later date for comment and if you would like to receive an email when this occurs, please register your interest with Gaye Scott
March, 2021
Alluvium Consulting Australia Pty Ltd and Wild Environmental have been awarded the consultancy to develop all five foreshore management plans. Over the next few months the project team will be:
- Identifying areas and species requiring vegetation rehabilitation works
- Identifying native fauna and key high priority habitats
- Defining access points to beach
- Gathering initial input from people on how the foreshore area is currently used
January, 2021
Council has sought tenders from appropriate consultants to prepare Foreshore Management Plans for five beaches in Douglas Shire – Cooya, Four Mile, Newell, Oak and Wonga. Tenders are currently being reviewed.
In the interim, residents may be interested in reviewing the Newell Beach Dune Management Plan which was completed in 2000 with a Coast Care grant.
Community Consultation
There will be several opportunities for people to get involved in developing the Foreshore Management Plans. The first opportunity was a survey which closed 23 April 2021 and was completed by over 300 people and 11 community groups/organisations.
Later in the process, the draft Foreshore Management Plan will be released for public comment. There will be community drop in sessions in all five locations, and several virtual information sessions to provide an opportunity for people to talk to the consultants face to face and all details will be published on this page.
If you would like to register to receive an email when future opportunities arise, please contact the project’s Community Liaison officer.
Enquiries
For more information, please contact Gaye Scott on 0418 793 009 or email gaye.scott@douglas.qld.gov.au
