Shifting Land, Rising Seas: Beachmere Confronts Its Coastal Future

As rising tides reshape Queensland’s coast, Beachmere is acting now to protect its shoreline and the property values that depend on it. This small coastal town in the Moreton Bay region is a focal point in local plans to manage erosion and rising sea levels. Guided by the Beachmere Shoreline Management Project, council teams have been working with residents, through surveys, property visits and workshops, to understand how shoreline change affects homes, land and investment.

For decades, natural wave action, tides and storms have gradually worn away parts of the coast. That process is speeding up as sea levels rise and severe weather becomes more frequent. The result is more than a change in scenery: erosion now threatens both public spaces and private properties, raising concerns about land stability, access and long-term use.

How Erosion Affects Property and Land Use

Property is often their most valuable asset for many homeowners. As the shoreline shifts, the risks to land stability and infrastructure grow. That, in turn, shapes how planning decisions are made and how assets are maintained. It can influence private risk considerations, including insurance. Properties built on low-lying or erosion-prone land face a greater chance of flooding or damage during storm events.

The Moreton Bay Living Coast Plan emphasises that these risks must be central to planning and land-use decisions. Authorities need to balance the protection of existing development with environmental and recreational values. 

Long-term strategies include mapping erosion-prone areas, applying land-use restrictions where necessary and exploring ways to make new and existing developments more resilient. These measures are designed to reduce risks to public and private assets and to support community resilience over the long term.

The plan also factors in state-adopted sea-level benchmarks — 0.3 metres by 2050 and 0.8 metres by 2100 — to guide future adaptation. Those figures highlight why proactive planning is essential for communities like Beachmere.

Options on the Table: Seawalls and Nature-Based Solutions

The Beachmere Shoreline Management Project outlines several approaches for responding to erosion. One is the construction of seawalls, or engineered structures built to absorb and deflect wave energy. They can offer quick protection for vulnerable properties, though they are expensive and can alter natural coastal processes.

Other options rely on nature itself. “Living shoreline” techniques use vegetation, sand and natural features to stabilise the coast while maintaining ecological function. These offer adaptable, lower-impact protection, with different performance characteristics from complex infrastructure.

Council is exploring combinations of both approaches to balance protection, cost and environmental outcomes. Choosing the right solution depends on site conditions, community priorities and long-term funding.

Community Collaboration at the Core

Community involvement has been central to shaping Beachmere’s approach. Council has worked closely with residents, property owners and local groups to understand their priorities. Many wanted solutions that would protect homes without losing the area’s natural character, while others emphasised keeping beach access and recreational spaces open.

The shoreline spans about eight kilometres and includes 212 private properties. By early 2021, more than 100 unapproved seawalls had already been identified, underscoring the urgency of coordinated action. The collaborative approach has been vital for shaping solutions and improving acceptance among those most affected.

Beachmere in the Bigger Picture

Beachmere’s work forms part of a wider regional strategy to manage coastal risks across Moreton Bay. The Living Coast Plan sets out long-term actions for erosion management, tidal adaptation and foreshore protection, including better data collection, early planning interventions and coordinated investment.

For Beachmere property owners, the shoreline project is part of a coordinated effort to reduce risks to homes and public assets, maintain liveability and preserve community amenity. Acting now gives the town a stronger chance to manage future sea-level rise and more intense weather events.