Lodgement of the development application for the preliminary approval of the flow slide barrier

A significant milestone has occurred in implementing the Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP) with the lodgement of the development application for the preliminary approval of the flow slide barrier to Council’s Development Assessment section and the State Government. This required extensive planning, engineering, environmental investigation and reports to support the development application submission.

A key recommendation for the SEMP implementation was for Council to assist landowners in the central reach by applying for a high-level preliminary approval for the existing flow slide barrier. The next step in the development application process requires detailed assessment and feedback by several State Government entities. Council is currently awaiting this feedback, however it is difficult to estimate reliable time frames for decisions on development applications for tidal works. Council’s Marine Infrastructure Asset Management team will provide further updates on the development application as key milestones are reached.

A preliminary approval for the flow slide barrier will assist landowners in obtaining the subsequent approvals required to carry out any work that might be necessary for protecting their individual parcels of land and undertaking continual maintenance or top-up of the flow slide barrier in accordance with relevant legislation.

In addition to the development application lodgement, Council has recently had a geophysical survey of the flow slide barrier carried out. A detailed engineering analysis of the findings is being undertaken and once finalised, this information will be provided to landowners in the central reach.

Another initiative being undertaken with the support of Redland City Council is an ongoing research project by the University of Queensland which is investigating the causes of flow slide events responsible for the foreshore erosion at the central reach of Amity Point. Current updates include a recently completed bathymetric survey of the Rainbow Channel. This will assist with detailed modelling and will provide researchers with an understanding of the underwater topography of the Rainbow Channel in this area of Moreton Bay. Another aspect of work being undertaken by researchers are lab experiments into the correlation between sand porosity and geotechnical characteristics related to flow slides.