Strengthening the Cairns Esplanade foreshore

• Intensifying king tides and events like the January 2025 Tropical Low have accelerated erosion along unprotected sections of the Cairns Esplanade.
• Existing rock-boulder protection has performed well in extreme weather, making extension of this approach the most practical option.
• The $1.5M works will start as soon as possible under emergency provisions, timed for the tourism off-season to minimise disruption.

Works will soon be underway to further strengthen and stabilise the foreshore at the Cairns Esplanade Foreshore Parklands, addressing ongoing coastal erosion that is threatening vegetation and impacting one of the city’s most valued community and tourism assets.

Coastal erosion has been an ongoing issue along the Esplanade foreshore, with impacts intensified during king tides and severe weather events, including cyclones and tropical lows.

Council has already observed strong results from earlier stages of the rock-boulder erosion protection installed in 2015 and 2020, with these sections performing well even during extreme weather events and requiring only minor repairs following TC Jasper.

Several adjacent, unprotected sections are now showing accelerated erosion and require similar treatment to prevent further degradation.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said strengthening the foreshore was about protecting both the environment and the community’s way of life.

“The Esplanade is the front yard of our city. These works are about strengthening the foreshore, protecting vegetation and cultural values, and ensuring this space remains safe, attractive and resilient in the face of increasingly severe weather,” Cr Eden said.

“We’ve seen that the rock-boulder protection already in place works. Extending this approach now is the most practical and cost-effective way to stop erosion before it causes more serious damage.”

Construction on the $1.5 million project will largely occur during the tourism off-season to minimise disruption.

Division 5 Councillor Rob Pyne said these works are about safeguarding the natural systems that protect our shoreline.

“With more intense weather events becoming the norm, strengthening the foreshore is a practical step to protect coastal ecosystems and ensure the Esplanade can adapt to a changing climate,” Cr Pyne said.

While the rock-boulder solution does not eliminate all erosion risk, Council considers the residual risk acceptable given the proven performance of existing sections and the significantly lower cost compared with a fully engineered concrete seawall.

Council is proposing to commence works as soon as possible under emergency provisions due to the urgency of the erosion, with formal development approvals to be obtained retrospectively.

The project aligns with Council’s Corporate Plan priorities, supporting environmental protection, community liveability, economic resilience and strong governance, ensuring the Cairns Esplanade continues to serve as a central hub for community life and a symbol of the city’s coastal identity.