Council is undertaking a key review of its Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP) for Rowes Bay to Pallarenda – and your feedback can help influence the process.
The SEMP is Council's strategic framework for responding to coastal change, balancing environmental resilience with community use and values. This review will build on more than two decades of dedicated work to manage and protect this complex coastal system.
The review of the SEMP will lay out a plan to ensure the Rowes Bay and Pallarenda foreshore's sustainable use and management during the next 20 years.
As part of the review, Council has opened a survey on its Have Your Say Townsville platform, allowing residents to provide feedback on the ways they use the foreshore, what they value about the area, and priorities for future shoreline erosion management.
This feedback will be collated for use during the SEMP review period, helping Council better understand the priorities of the community.
Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said Council had been working closely on reducing the effects of erosion in the Rowes Bay and Pallarenda area for many years, with the previous SEMP being established in 2010.
"The Rowes Bay and Pallarenda stretch of coastline holds a lot of value to our community for its recreational, scenic and spiritual value, which is why it's essential for Council to continue to manage it safely," Cr Greaney said.
"Council has been dedicated to delivering coastal system solutions along Rowes Bay and Pallarenda for more than two decades, managing the beach system as a whole and enhancing resilience at Pallarenda by building the beach there during the past 25 years.
"Council is committed to continuing to manage the ecosystem in a way that keeps it healthy for the future. To do this, we need to update our Rowes Bay to Pallarenda SEMP to ensure we have an effective framework in place."
Cr Greaney said the updated Rowes Bay to Pallarenda SEMP would lay out the plan for responding to erosion causes, prioritising sustainable options and implementing nature-based restoration during the next 20 years.
"Incorporating insights from residents in this review process is essential for Council. We want to hear from all residents who visit or live by the Rowes Bay and Pallarenda coastline," Cr Greaney said.
"By welcoming feedback, we can ensure we are continuing our partnership with the community while addressing the environmental challenges along this stretch of coastline."
Community consultation is now open through Council's Have Your Say Townsville website until 18 July 2025. An on-site drop-in session will be held at Freemason's Park at Pallarenda from 10am to midday on Saturday 5 July 2025.
