A campaign to stop a concrete pedestrian/cycle path being constructed on The Spit dunal system in Federation Walk Coastal Reserve, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Introduction
• Dunes - Nature's Way of Defending the Coast
• Coastal Management and Beach Protection
• Natural Setting
• Nature Based Recreation Plan 2015 – 2025
• Environment and Ecology
• Sensitivity, Accessibility and Compliance
• Wildlife and Protected Species
• Other Issues
• Campaign
• Conclusion
• References and Sources

 

Introduction

The Save Our Spit Alliance (SOSA) Inc. is a volunteer, not-for-profit community alliance of Gold Coast residents, visitors, recreational users and passive tourism operators committed to the protection, conservation and preservation of the Gold Coast Spit, Broadwater, South Stradbroke Island and their parks, foreshores, beaches, islands and waterways as public open space, both now and for future generations.

SOSA first formed after community meetings held by the Gold Coast and Hinterland Environment Council (Gecko) in 2003-2004 to fight against the then State Government's proposed cruise ship port and terminal (CST) in the Southport Seaway and commercial high-rise developments on Doug Jennings Park on public open space on the northern Spit.

SOSA won a National Surfrider award in 2005 for our campaign to stop the cruise ship proposal which was successful in 2006 when the Queensland Government abandoned its proposal for a cruise ship port and terminal on the Gold Coast. Spit. Since this time, SOSA has continued to fight battles both big (more CST proposals; a mega foreign high-rise resort casino-city) and small (inappropriate public 'infrastructure' and private developments) on The Spit, Broadwater, Wavebreak and South Stradbroke Islands.

Since 2005, SOSA been acknowledged by environmental, tourism and business groups for its deep research and dissemination of evidence-based information to the Community in our campaigns to protect the public realms of The Spit and Broadwater and their environs from inappropriate private developments and unnecessary and ecologically destructive public infrastructure proposals.

Awards include for 'Services to the Environment' from the Gold Coast and Hinterland Environment Council (Gecko):

Gecko Annual Awards

2005 Silver Gecko Award

2012 Gold Tailed Gecko Award

2014 Beaded Gecko Award

2015 Jewelled Gecko Award

And awards from Business groups for Save Our Spit Campaigns:

Festival of Excellence – Gala Award Night, May 2018

2018 Northern Gold Coast Connect - Regional Excellence, Sustainable Living Award

Following 16 years of campaigning, SOSA along with other key community stakeholder groups, convinced the Palaszczuk Labor Government to initiate a community-led Spit Master Plan process during 2018-2019, resulting in the Spit Master Plan 2019 (SMP).

Some of the ambit claims by other participants involved in the SMP process that appeared in the final SMP were deemed by SOSA to be inappropriate. For instance, the City of Gold Coast (CoGC) Mayor insisted on including the option of a cruise ship port and terminal at Philip Park on The Spit or else he would withdraw the CoGC from the Spit Master Plan process.

However, SOSA trusted that the full and transparent application of existing Environmental Legislations; Ocean Strategies and Plans; and Coastal Management best-practices would eradicate such potentially destructive developments being imposed on the high conservation value areas of The Spit, especially in Philip Park and the Federation Walk Coastal Reserve (FWCR).

A Queensland Government statutory authority, the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA), is now the responsible entity for implementing the Spit Master Plan 2019.

Unfortunately, SOSA is about to engage in a campaign to stop The Spit natural dunes from being subjected to a scientifically unacceptable and potentially ecologically disastrous bureaucratic decision by the GCWA to bulldoze a 5 metre-wide easement, up to 2 kilometres long on the primary dune (foredune) ridgeline within Federation Walk Coastal Reserve along the dune system,in order to lay a concrete pedestrian-cyclist path.

This proposed shared pedestrian-cyclist concrete path was euphemistically named the 'Oceanway' in the early 2000s when the then Gold Coast City Council determined that they desired an ocean viewing path the entire length of the Gold Coast coastline from the Southport Seaway to Coolangatta, despite not having conducted any environmental impact, engineering or best-practice coastal management studies when they drew their theoretical line on a map.

The concrete 'Oceanway' has since been constructed along stretches of the City of Gold Coast's urban beaches, often generating conflict and controversy between beachside residents, environment and community groups and cycle lobbyists. The Oceanway proposal has previously resulted in court action against the CoGC by residents in the Northcliffe area of Surfers Paradise and at the time of writing, a new case by the same complainants is about to proceed to court over the perceived damage an Oceanway may cause to the beach backshore and what remains of the foredunes at Northcliffe Beach.

The proposed extension of the Oceanway concrete path from Philip Park on The Spit (where it currently ends and joins the existing environmentally sustainable Federation Walk path) is the first time proponents of the Oceanway have begun to push for the concrete path to continue through Federation Walk Coastal Reserve. FCWR is listed by the CoGC as being a 'high value conservation area' and gazetted in the State of Queensland as Park for Environment, Beach Protection and Coastal Management Purposes.

On these grounds and the evidence presented below, the Save Our Spit Alliance Inc. is mounting a public campaign and if necessary a legal campaign, to halt the GCWA from pushing the Oceanway proposal through Federation Walk Coastal Reserve.

Photo 1: Supplied by Dr Steve Gration. The Spit dunes, the last remaining dune system in a natural setting on the Gold Coast mainland.

 

Dunes - Nature's Way of Defending the Coast

In 2018, SOSA president, Dr Steve Gration, was commissioned to write a technical article on the role sand dunes play in defending our coast and the negative impacts human behaviour and decisions often make in relation to dune systems. The article, Dunes - Nature's Way of Defending the Coast was produced for the highly regarded Marine Discovery Centre, Adelaide, S.A.and exposes the disastrous effects hard and permanent public infrastructure, private developments and human activities can have on natural dune systems along Australia's coastline:

Coastal sand dunes are nature's way of protecting the beaches from erosion. Coastal dunes provide a buffer zone between marine and land environments. They absorb and decrease wave energy and reduce storm damage to our coastline.

Dunes stop the inland flow of seawater but they erode without vegetation cover.

Dune structures support a wide variety of bird, reptile and invertebrate species.

Coastal sand dunes are extremely sensitive to disturbances. They suffer severe damage from pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

When beach sand is washed away by storms, wind or wave movement, it is normally replaced by sand stored in the dune. Human activities can severely reduce this store of dune sand.

http://www.saveourspit.com/No_Terminal/news/NewsArticle.jsp?News_ID=308

Human-induced changes to dune systems and degraded dune vegetation can significantly limit the protection provided to development from coastal hazards, cause wind erosion problems and adversely impact on neighbouring landforms.

Vegetation is important to form and stabilise coastal sand dunes. Vegetation on the beach and dunes tends to occur in zones, according to the degree of exposure to harsh coastal conditions. Closest to the sea is the pioneer zone, extending landward from the debris line at the top of the beach is an area called the foredune or frontal dune.

Coastal Management Plan p. 8, Dpt. Environment & Heritage Protection, Qld Government, 2013

In the context of this knowledge of the multiple functions that dunes play in Coastal Processes, Coastal Management, Coastal Conservation and Beach Protection, The Gold Coast Waterways Authority's 'Spit Master Plan Implementation Team' in a recent online survey has listed as a priority, its intention to construct and lay an 'Oceanway' 3.5 metre-wide concrete path (of the type previously only seen on urban beaches along the heavily developed and private residential beachside suburbs of the City ofGold Coast) in a north-south orientation on the foredunes of the Federation Walk Coastal Reserve.

Fig 1: courtesy of Spit Master Plan 2019*

*Proposed concrete 'Oceanway' path, running north-south of the blue dot on the primary (foredunes) dune ridgeline and right through protected wildlife habitat and fauna nesting, roosting and foraging sites and mature vegetation communities.

*Existing Federation Walk crushed-granite path, running north-south of the orange dot and aligned to the west (inland) of primary (foredunes) dunes and interdunes and on the western edges of the existing littoral forest woodlands and recent littoral rainforest plantings.

The bulldozing of the minimum 5 metre-wide easement for a concrete path will require the permanent removal of thousands of mature coastal trees and established dunal vegetation in the littoral woodlands that currently exist in the southern FWCR with one consequence being the destabilising of the dunal system.

Southern Terrestrial Community (Littoral woodland) – general condition March 2018:

• The littoral woodland is healthier and shows a more mature and complex composition than the vegetation in the northern portion of The Spit. This is largely due to the efforts of CoGC and the Friends of Federation Walk in planting and restoration (weed control and maintenance) of the area.
• The vegetation has been irrigated with recycled water. The recycled water is predominantly used to establish plants.

The listed MNES threatened ecological community:

Casuarina glauca were observed within Federation Walk during site inspections to inform this background report. This species was also observed to be commonly occurring amongst grassland and a dominating species within localised hollows during a field survey undertaken in April 2017 by BAAM Ecological Consultants.

The Spit Master Plan - Background Study – Environment and Ecology. John Gaskell Planning Consultants, July 2018.

The existing Oceanway paths constructed south of The Spit along heavily urbanised Gold Coast beachfronts that are home to large numbers of private homes and residential apartment blocks (i.e. the foredunes dunes and interdunes no longer exist in full or at all, owing to public infrastructure and private developments), remain highly contentious with strong arguments for and against the path's presence on ocean beachfronts in an epoch of climate change, ocean rise and increases in the number and intensity of severe weather events.

However, there is no merit in undermining the natural dune system by destroying its vegetation and impeding/obstructing its natural functions within Federation Walk Coastal Reserve (FWCR) through the construction of a concrete-surface pedestrian/cycle shared pathway and the other negative impacts it will bring as the following research reveals:

 

Coastal Management and Beach Protection

FWCR is the only beachside reserve on the Gold Coast gazetted under State Legislation as an area for "Park, Environment, Beach Protection and Coastal Management Purposes".

The concrete 'Oceanway' type path about to be proposed by the Gold Coast Waterways Authority's 'Spit Master Plan Implementation Team' is the antithesis of the legislated purpose of FWCR i.e. as a park to protect the environment and beach and to manage the coastline along Federation Walk Coastal Reserve.

Photo 2: Courtesy Dr Steve Gration – Main Beach (urban) A-line wall exposed and concrete 'Oceanway' path sitting precariously above it after erosion/scarping caused by moderate/large SE swell and king tides on 4 Feb. 2021.

Photo 3: Courtesy Dr Steve Gration – Federation Walk Coastal Reserve and The Spit (natural) backshore and foredunes creating the natural defence for the coastline. Photographed on the same day (4 Feb. 2021) as the Main Beach (urban) Photo2 above.

 

Natural Setting

The FWCR Management Plan and the design, structure, placement and surface of the current Federation Walk pathway was accepted by 3 levels of Government 20 years ago and has since been implemented through construction of an all-access, environmentally-friendly and sustainable pathway, complemented by the planting of indigenous tree and coastal vegetation by the highly respected and environment award winning, volunteer community group, Friends of Federation Walk.

The FWCR Management Plan clearly states the following:

It is proposed that the Federation Walk should be retained as a gravelled pathway¹, and that, with the exception of possibly some seating, that the environment be free of both major and minor infrastructure, and that infrastructure that is deemed necessary shall be curtailed to the entrance points of the walk.

FWCR Management Plan. Recreation. 10.1, Para 6. p.32.

¹ The Federation Walk track is a surface of crushed granite, laid in a layer of 100mm over compacted sand and then the granite re-compacted to form a stable walking surface.

Photo4: Courtesy of Friends of Federation Walk. The Natural Setting of the existing "easily accessible" and CPTEB conformingcompacted, crushed graniteFederation Walk path.

The photograph above typifies the natural setting that the current 'gravel' shared pedestrian-cyclist path achieves on the Federation Walk Coastal Reserve, as opposed to the 3.5 metre-wide, hard-edged, hard surfaced, concrete pathway with little or no vegetation canopy and the vegetation-free verges of the 'Oceanway' pathway on the beachfronts and dunes south of Federation Walk Coastal Reserve, along the urban beach zones of the City of Gold Coast (see Photo 5 below).

 

Nature Based Recreation Plan 2015 – 2025

In 2015, the City of Gold Coast (CoGC) developed "a city-wide strategic framework for sustainable nature-based recreation. It is used to guide decisions regarding access, recreational use and facilities at the individual natural area reserve and cluster level".

Nature based recreation is defined as outdoor recreation activities that:

• are dependent on the natural environment
• have an appreciation of nature as a key motivational factor
• do not require substantial modification to the natural environment
• are environmentally sustainable, as determined by an ongoing environmental monitoring program

Nature Based Recreation Plan 2015 – 2025, "2. Scope". CoGC, 2015.

The above qualities perfectly describe the CoGC managed area of the Federation Walk Coastal Reserve. The FWCR is listed in the Nature Based Recreation Plan 2015-2025(NBRP) as a "key existing Nature Based Recreation Location/Trail on/through City Managed Land." (Fig. 2 p.32)

"Preserving natural values is of primary importance, as it is these values that attract people to the City's conservation reserves to participate in nature based recreation. Over 2,500 native plants and animals call the City home, and 150 of these are listed as endangered, vulnerable or near threatened. These significant environmental values need to be preserved so that the City's growing population of residents and visitors will be able to access outstanding locations for nature based recreation for generations to come." (NBRP p.38)

As a high value conservation area, FWCR needs to be protected from permanent hard infrastructure and inappropriate recreational uses such as that brought on by construction of an Oceanway-type concrete path on its foredune and interdune zones as outlined in the following NBRP 2015-2025 strategic outcome:

Strategic Initiative 3.1.A

Utilise the City's Natural Areas Reserve Classification System (Strategic Outcome 22.1 of the City's Nature Conservation Strategy) during the planning process to broadly identify high value conservation areas that are only appropriate for no or low impact recreation activities, and lower value areas that potentially could support other types of recreation. (NBRP Appendix A, p.46)

 

Environment and Ecology

FWCR currently supports five different vegetation communities including Acacia sophorae shrubland, foredune complex, grassland, littoral forest and littoral woodland. There have been 122 different flora species recorded, 25% of which are exotic.

There is opportunity to build on the restoration efforts of the Friends of Federation Walk and CoGC to create a mosaic of vegetation communities. This could include the restoration of threatened ecological communities including the endangered coastal swamp oak, vulnerable coastal saltmarsh and the critically endangered littoral rainforest ecological community

Any changes to the current land use patterns would need to ensure the habitat for significant species is not reduced and environmental impacts are adequately managed.

The Flora and Fauna Database records indicate 39 locally significant species, 34 species with state significance status (special least concern, vulnerable or endangered) and 34 species which are listed under the EPBC (vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered, or migratory).

The Spit Master Plan - Background Study – Environment and Ecology. John Gaskell Planning Consultants, July 2018.

In deep contrast to Photo 4 (above),the photo below is the one currently used by the GCWA's 'SMP Implementation Team' in their recent online survey to promote what they will attempt to do along the entire length of the foredunes on The Spit in Federation Walk Coastal Reserve.

Photo 5: From GCWA brochure and online survey (July 2021) example of the concrete 'Oceanway' path and vegetation clearance being proposed along the Spit dunes.

 

Sensitivity, Accessibility and Compliance

The current Federation Walk path surface (compacted crushed granite), design, topography; its sensitivity to the existing terrain (landward of the foredunes and interdunes); and its consequent supporting of wildlife habitat,also complements its relationship with the function of the dune system as a natural defence against long-term ocean erosion, scarping and/or inundation of The Spit coastline.

An existing swale (hollow) in FWCR has recently been discovered half-way along the path and local government funds have been dedicated to re-establishing a 35 hectare littoral rain forest in that location (see Fig 1 above).

The City of Gold Coast is undertaking one of Australia's largest ever beachfront rainforest restoration projects to establish a littoral rainforest within Federation Walk Coastal Reserve. The restoration site encompasses an area of approximately 35 hectares and the project will provide residents and visitors an enhanced nature-based experience, creating valuable green-space for the Gold Coast. To facilitate the project, the City will undertake construction of a permanent irrigation system and associated vegetation management works in the northern section of the Reserve [for an]...Endangered Ecological Community - Littoral Rainforest - that the City is aiming to reinstate at Federation Walk Coastal Reserve.

Rachel Lamaro - Natural Areas Project Officer, CoGC, email July 2021.

Fig 2: Pink areas denote existing irrigation zones east and west of the existing Federation Walk track and a new irrigation pipe preparation zone in the northern section of FWCR to the east of existing Federation Walk path (thick double yellow line) running north-south. The double yellow lines running east-west across FWCR are pedestrian and emergency vehicle access paths and like the Federation Walk track, their surfaces are a 100mm layer of crushed compacted granite over sand.

Supporters of a concrete 'Oceanway' type path through the Spit dunes falsely claim that the current Federation Walk path is not disability accessible and use this as the excuse/reason to bulldoze a wide easement and construct a second track with a concrete surface along the Spit primary dune system.

The existing Federation Walk path is in fact not only environmentally and ecologically friendly, it is also family,disabled and special needs friendly in design and compliant with "equal access specifications wherever possible" as requested under the guidelines (p. 11) of the CoGC Nature Based Recreation Plan 2015 - 2025.

The Federation Walk track alignment and surface also conforms to the requirements of the Queensland Government's Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) guidelines even though CPTED's main focus is on urban public settings and built environments not natural settings such as FWCR.

The FWCR Management Plan also takes into account the following principles in relation to the design, alignment and surface of the Federation Walk track as outlined in Guidelines for Trail Planning, Design and Management by the international org.Tourism Recreation Conservation (TRC) in conjunction with Regional Development Australia, Regional Development Victoria and Parks Victoria:

• Avoid locating trails in unstable dunal systems, or where the construction of the trail is likely to contribute to such conditions.
• Consider the ecological sensitivity of the area and the potential impact on habitat, breeding locations, animal movement patterns, etc.
• Minimise visual intrusion by keeping structures low to the ground and using materials that blend with the landscape and are durable.
• Ensure that the location of the trail will not encourage traffic onto sensitive areas.
• Provide for controlled access points to/from the beach and inland areas.
• Natural surfaces may be more appropriate in more natural contexts.
• Don't over-engineer: minimise visual intrusion by keeping structures, earthworks, vegetation clearance, trail widths, signage, etc. to a minimum.

Guidelines for Trail Planning, Design and Management. Tourism Recreation Conservation (TRC) with Regional Development Australia, Regional Development Victoria and Parks Victoria.2016. www.trctourism.com

The proposed concrete 'Oceanway' path design, alignment and construction on The Spit dunal system transgresses all of the above trail, design and management principles.

And finally, the Federation Walk path conforms to the Australian Standards International AS 2156.2 – 2001, Walking Tracks Part 2- Infrastructure Design:

This Standard specifies requirements for the structural design of walking track structures, to protect natural and cultural assets and for use as aids to recreation in outdoor areas where the environment is the focus of recreational activities.

AS 2156.2 – 2001. Standards Australia,2001 p.4

Photo 6: The Federation Walk track –'equal access ' compliant; environmentally & ecologically sustainable; family friendly and conforms to NBRP 2015-2025; CPTED guidelines; TRC Guidelines for Trail Planning, Design and Management; andAS 2156.2 – 2001Walking Tracks Part 2- Infrastructure Design.

 

Wildlife and Protected Species

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act (EPBC Act) Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) and State Environmental Significance (MSES) abound in the rich wildlife habitat and vegetation community zones east (oceanside) of the current Federation Walk path right through to the Oceanfront of FWCR. (see Appendix A: EPBC Act Protected Matters Report,23 July 2021)

Vulnerable Green and Hawksbill Turtles in addition to the endangered Loggerhead Turtle have been recorded laying and nesting (Nov – Jan) in the primary dunes of FWCR and hatching there (Jan-March). This will occur more frequently on The Spit as turtles continue to move further south with climate change and ocean warming because these species need slightly cooler ocean and air temperatures to reproduce male offspring in addition to female offspring or else risk becoming extinct with the reproduction of only female offspring.

The waters (and sandy beach nesting grounds) around South Stradbroke Island and The Spit are home to two species of vulnerable turtles (green turtle and hawksbill turtle) as well as the endangered loggerhead turtle.

The Spit Master Plan - Background Study – Environment and Ecology p.11. John Gaskell Planning Consultants, July 2018.

Fig 3: Gold Coast Bulletin, May 2018.

A concrete pathway on the primary dunes in such close proximity to turtle nesting sites with the constant human pedestrian and cycle traffic and dog-walking that would be would attracted to the area (day and night) will have a devastating negative impact on MNES protected turtles, and even the potential destruction of their nesting sites.

Photo 7: Green Turtle nest at southern end of Federation Walk Coastal Reserve in The Spit foredunes, February 2018. https://www.facebook.com/saveourspit/posts/3649676368381179

The threatened White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)is also a common sight in FWCR and they too have nesting sites in the littoral woodlands and forest between the current Federation Walk path and the oceanfront. Shorebirds and seabirds, including the Beach Stone-Curlew (Esacusmagnirostris) listed as threatened under national and international legislation,take refuge in FWCR to forage and nest and to escape the noise and activities of theme parks; vehicles; humans and domestic pets such as dogs.

There are other issues also associated with urban type concrete paths in relation to the human pressure to install artificial lighting that accompany paths such as the Oceanway in urban environments and the likely negative impacts artificial lighting will have on wildlife on The Spit if it were installed.

We won't go into detail here other than offer the following brief scientific explanations regarding the potential effects of artificial lighting on wildlife in natural locations:

...if native species depend on an attractant , whether it is natural or human made, the impact on these native species would need to be assessed against the benefits of discouraging exotic animals.

Developments that require artificial lighting in close proximity to natural areas [can] attract fauna with potentially adverse outcomes.

(p.135)

Natural lighting at night is important for many species because it influences their foraging success, reproduction, predator avoidance, navigation and circadian rhythm...so it is logical to consider artificial lighting can influence these aspects. (p.136)

Reducing the Impacts of Development on Wildlife. Gleeson J. & Glesson D. CSIRO Publishing 2012.)

John Gaskell Planning Consultants identified the following 'opportunities for improving terrestrial ecology' in Federation Walk Coastal Reserve in their The Spit Master Plan - Background Study – Environment and Ecology, p. 39:

• Transitioning the existing pockets of Casuarina glauca into a recognised coastal swamp oak community thus supporting this endangered vegetation community and providing additional food sources for the Glossy Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami), a threatened (vulnerable) species under State Government legislation.
• Enhance and preserve the natural assets of the area with continued restoration efforts to support a diverse mosaic/transition of vegetation communities and species diversity
• Utilise treated wastewater (from existing recycled water pipeline) to improve the health and condition of terrestrial vegetation. This has occurred in the southern portion of Federation Walk, with visible success.

 

Other Issues

Other issues with the GCWA SMP Implementation Team's proposed concrete path relate to the erosion, gullying and other negative outcomes associated with rainfall run-off from a continuous 2 km long concrete path, high on the primary dune ridge. This rainfall would otherwise be absorbed through the sand and seep into the leeward swales to support a variety of dunal vegetation, ecological systems, wildlife habitat (including frog species) and the formation of wetlands.

Swales, depressions, and very low flats in maritime dunes support a variety of saturated to seasonally flooded herbaceous and shrub-dominated wetlands and ponds in which rainwater and groundwater quickly dilutes infrequent salt-water inputs.

Additionally, concrete is a known heat emitter and during the hottest months on the Gold Coast will have a detrimental effect on wildlife, vegetation and even human health and safety if permitted to be constructed within FCWR.

In his 2015 PhD thesis, examining all aspects and arguments regarding the urban beach 'Oceanway' path on the Gold Coast, Nigel Cartlidge refers to the conclusions of the 'Delphi' group, a collective of coastal management, urban design and engineering experts formed to analyse the impacts and benefits of urban beach design and governance and their impacts on Gold Coast beaches and communities:

The Delphi group was unanimously in favour of adapting planning and development regulation and control to allow a planned retreat and reduction of development from the ocean to create a beachfront buffer zone that would both conserve natural ecologies and protect development.

Lines in the Sand: Urban Design Attributes, Characteristics and Values of Selected Gold Coast Beach Precincts. Cartlidge N., Bond Uni, 2015.

Given there are no private developments to protect in Federation Walk Coastal Reserve, the primary gazetted purpose for FWCR is also supported by the Delphi group; that is, to continue being "a beachfront buffer zone that would...conserve natural ecologies."

Therefore, the above desirable outcome precludes the imposition of a hard, continuous permanent structure such as a concrete path anywhere within FWCR, let alone in the dunal system.

Furthermore, the final Spit Master Plan 2019description of the need to preserve Federation Walk Coastal Reserve and defend its natural assets is confirmed in the following directions that totally contradict the GCWA 'Spit Implementation Team's' desire to impose an inappropriate concrete path within FWCR.

Particular note should be taken of the 'Intent' section and points 3.2, 3.4 and 3.5.in 'Outcomes':

Fig 3: Source - Spit Master Plan 2019 p.56, Qld Government 2019

The Spit Public Realm Guidelines that accompany the SMP 2019 also emphasise that pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure should 'integrate permeable surfaces' as already exists with the compacted, crushed granite surface of the existing Federation Walk trail:

Fig 4:Source - Spit Public Realm Guidelines p.14, Qld Government, 2020

 

Campaign

Federation Walk, through ongoing vegetation work, is becoming a place of environmental significance, supporting a diversity of vegetation communities and a high diversity of bird species.

(The Spit Master Plan - Background Study – Environment and Ecology p.11. John Gaskell Planning Consultants, July 2018.)

The key points in the upcoming Save Our Spit Alliance campaign include:

1. SOSA opposes the construction of a formal hard-surface pathway on the oceanfront or in the foredunes or interdune systems on The Spit within Federation Walk Coastal Reserve.

2. SOSA opposes any new formal north-south pathways(hard or soft) being constructed east (oceanside) of the current alignment of the Federation Walk path.

3. SOSA opposes the concreting of any part of the current Federation Walk path.

4. SOSA supports theFederation Walk Coastal Reserve Management Plan and demands that it be respected, fully funded and fully implemented and that the gazetted purpose of FWCR is adhered to; that is, "Park for Environment, Beach Protection and Coastal Management Purposes".

 

Conclusion

The Gold Coast's last remaining sand dune system exists on The Spit and is nature's way of protecting our northern beaches from erosion. Our coastal dunes provide a buffer zone between marine and land environments. They absorb and decrease wave energy and reduce storm damage to our coastline.

The Spit landform, its dunes and native vegetation, through both natural colonisation and human assisted restoration, now contains important wildlife habitat, roosting, foraging and nesting sites and supports a high diversity of flora and fauna species, some of them threatened, vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered as defined under the EPBC Act MNES.:

There is great opportunity to build on the restoration efforts of the Friends of Federation Walk and CoGC to create a mosaic of vegetation communities. This could include the restoration of threatened ecological communities including the endangered coastal swamp oak, vulnerable coastal saltmarsh and the critically endangered littoral rainforest ecological community. This would support species diversity and provide a range of experiences and education opportunities to visitors.

The Spit Master Plan - Background Study – Environment and Ecology p.43. John Gaskell Planning Consultants, July 2018.

There are many other scientific, environmental, ecological, social and even eco and nature-tourism reasons for SOSA's rejection of the proposed concrete path on The Spit dunes, including the fact that the world-wide cement industry is the second biggest global carbon-emitter and contributor to anthropogenic climate change, just behind fossil fuels.

Researched, compiled, composed, written and edited by Dr Steven Gration, July 2021.

 

References and Sources

Coastal Management Plan. Dpt. Environment & Heritage Protection, Qld Government, 2013.

Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). Guidelines for Qld.Part A – essential features of safer places. Queensland Government,

Dunes – Nature's Way of Defending the Coast. Dr Steve Gration. Marine Discovery Centre, Henley Beach SA. 2022.

http://www.saveourspit.com/No_Terminal/news/NewsArticle.jsp?News_ID=308

Endangered Ecological Community - Littoral Rainforest.Rachel Lamaro - Natural Areas Project Officer, CoGC, July 2021.

EPBC Act Protected Matters Report- The Gold Coast Spit. Australian Government, 23 July 2021.

Evidence of nesting could end terminal. Gold Coast Bulletin, May 2018.

Gold Coast Waterways Authority https://gcwa.qld.gov.au

Guidelines for Trail Planning, Design and Management. Tourism Recreation Conservation (TRC) with Regional Development Australia, Regional Development Victoria and Parks Victoria.2016.
www.trctourism.com

Lines in the Sand: Urban Design Attributes, Characteristics and Values of Selected Gold Coast Beach Precincts. Cartlidge N. Bond Uni, 2015.
https://pure.bond.edu.au/ws/portalfiles/portal/36202885/Nigel_Cartlidge_Thesis.pdf

Matters of National Environmental Significance Significant impact guidelines 1.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Australian Government, Dpt of Environment, 2013.

Nature Based Recreation Plan 2015 – 2025. City of Gold Coast 2015.
https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/documents/bf/nature-recreation-plan-2015-2025.pdf

Reducing the Impacts of Development on Wildlife. Gleeson J. & Glesson D. CSIRO Publishing 2012.

The Spit Public Real Guidelines. Qld Government, 2020.

The Spit Master Plan 2019. Qld Government 2019.

The Spit Master Plan Background Study - Environment and Ecology. John Gaskell Planning Consultants, July 2018.

The Federation Walk Coastal Reserve Management Plan. Arnold Wolthers & Main Beach Progress Association (fp 2000, revised 2009, latest print 2017).

Walking Tracks Part 2 - Infrastructure Design.Australian Standards International AS 2156.2 – 2001.

World Sea Turtle Day -turtle nest atsouthern end of Federation Walk Coastal Reserve, 2018.
https://www.facebook.com/saveourspit/posts/3649676368381179

The Atlas of Living Australia – The Spit (1km radius)
https://biocache.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?file=records-2021-07-26&reasonTypeId=11&dwcHeaders=true&fileType=csv&qa=none&sourceTypeId=0&email=stevegration63%40gmail.com&q=*%3A*&lat=-27.9500&lon=153.4280&radius=1&fq=geospatial_kosher%3Atrue&pageSize=0&facet=true&qualityProfile=ALA&offset=540&max=20#tab_recordImages

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Jan 27, 2018 Spit Master Plan process has begun »
Dec 18, 2017 Spit Upgrades Launch »
Nov 24, 2017 Developer Donations Buying Favours and Influence »
Nov 22, 2017 Why we cannot trust them with Our Spit »
Nov 14, 2017 Supporting those who support us »
Oct 27, 2017 Bill for CST investigations could reach $12.5m »
Oct 7, 2017 In any other State but Queensland »
Sep 15, 2017 ABC 4 Corners probe GCCC re donations »
Aug 1, 2017 You Won - Spit Casino Cancelled »
Jul 31, 2017 SOSA AGM Monday 7th Aug »
Jul 5, 2017 Feasibility Study Costs »
Jun 6, 2017 Election promises? Not worth a cent! »
May 9, 2017 Silent Minority Exposed »
Apr 27, 2017 Collective Amnesia at CCC Hearing »
Apr 6, 2017 Light Rail loop-hole »
Mar 22, 2017 Consultation Sunday 26th 10:30 am »
Mar 10, 2017 Australian: ASF Financial Viability Woes »
Mar 8, 2017 Big Public Info Night Thurs 9th 6pm »
Feb 26, 2017 Has Lynham done secret deals with Tate? »
Feb 11, 2017 So again nothing new here Tom »
Feb 9, 2017 Survey Does Not Stack Up »
Feb 8, 2017 Warning new group compromised »
Jan 25, 2017 Napkin sketches and a dot point list »
Jan 19, 2017 Have you been consulted? »
Dec 20, 2016 Appealing Attractions - Casino ranked last »
Nov 26, 2016 Four Levels of Corruption »
Oct 8, 2016 A Murky Week in Gold Coast Politics »
Sep 6, 2016 Sunday Mail Casino Debacle »
Aug 27, 2016 Sunland Absurdity »
Aug 19, 2016 AGM Monday 22 6PM »
Jul 29, 2016 The State of Play »
Mar 17, 2016 Change is in the Air »
Feb 4, 2016 Rally in the Park Chevron Is Sunday »
Jan 31, 2016 The Elected Obfuscators Bluff »
Dec 20, 2015 A Christmas Message »
Nov 2, 2015 Peter Garrett re Cruise Ships »
Oct 15, 2015 Last chance to lodge your objection »
Oct 2, 2015 Back to the 1980s »
Sep 5, 2015 Broadwater and Spit Masterplan »
Aug 29, 2015 How to Report Potential Official Misconduct »
Jul 13, 2015 XCAT Farce Paradise Lost and more »
Jun 11, 2015 GCCC under review »
Jun 6, 2015 Another Radical Private Development »
Jun 1, 2015 My fun is more important than yours »
Apr 29, 2015 Economic Fear Campaign »
Mar 26, 2015 Reflections on the Water »
Feb 16, 2015 Project Terminal »
Feb 2, 2015 Election Result Sinks Gold Coast Terminal »
Jan 16, 2015 Tell the Truth - Public Meeting »
Dec 25, 2014 And so this is Christmas »
Dec 24, 2014 Seeney not winning friends on Coast »
Dec 19, 2014 The Numbers don't Lie »
Nov 21, 2014 Save our Spit Photographic and Art Show »
Nov 15, 2014 Senate Inquiry »
Nov 3, 2014 Grand Theft Wavebreak public rally »
Oct 23, 2014 Cronyism Exposed Again »
Oct 6, 2014 Greywater »
Sep 20, 2014 Expert Against Coast CST »
Sep 4, 2014 3 Events to attend »
Aug 30, 2014 Deputy Premiers Announcement »
Aug 23, 2014 The Hidden VDM report »
Jul 26, 2014 Politics and Rumours »
Jun 6, 2014 A call to action »
May 3, 2014 Move over Julia »
Apr 30, 2014 Just suck it up and say NO! »
Apr 25, 2014 That is not consultation »
Apr 8, 2014 Full Page Newspaper Propaganda Ads Begin »
Apr 5, 2014 Report revealed »
Apr 1, 2014 April Fools Day with flawed survey »
Mar 24, 2014 Questions our GC Councillors must ask ASF »
Mar 14, 2014 Hey small spender »
Feb 24, 2014 Surf threatened by CST »
Feb 19, 2014 Tate considers quitting »
Feb 14, 2014 Live blog with Mayor Tom Tate »
Feb 14, 2014 Gration for Mayor 2016 »
Feb 5, 2014 Currumbin under threat from dredging »
Jan 28, 2014 What is a SLAPP Suit? »
Jan 15, 2014 It's a whole of city issue »
Jan 1, 2014 Cowards Lies and China Syndrome »
Dec 30, 2013 North Kirra Cruise Ship Terminal »
Dec 30, 2013 Mick Fanning speaks out on Kirra CST »
Dec 14, 2013 Councillors unaware of Brisbane CST »
Nov 29, 2013 Grand Theft Land »
Nov 16, 2013 The Hidden Urbis Report »
Oct 24, 2013 2013 Gold Coast Media Awards »
Oct 21, 2013 State vs State vs Mate »
Oct 19, 2013 What actually happened at the vote »
Oct 18, 2013 Dear Councillor »
Sep 12, 2013 Ship visits raise concern »
Sep 6, 2013 Vote 1 Save Our Spit »
Aug 24, 2013 Mayor Plays the victim »
Aug 24, 2013 Cruise Industry Forum Cancelled »
Aug 14, 2013 Secret Study values Broadwater at $4.1 b »
Aug 10, 2013 AGM 2012-13 Sep 10 7pm »
Aug 10, 2013 CST Bidder pulls out »
Jun 23, 2013 Cruise Ship Terminal in doubt »
Jun 6, 2013 Q and A info Night »
May 29, 2013 Joel cans Terminal idea »
May 22, 2013 AECgroup Business Case Analysis »
Apr 22, 2013 CMC probe into Oceanway »
Apr 14, 2013 Secret letters and meetings »
Apr 8, 2013 CMC under LNP attack »
Apr 4, 2013 Golden myopia »
Mar 16, 2013 Green Sea Turtle May have paid Price »
Mar 9, 2013 Golden Opportunity Missed »
Mar 6, 2013 Controlled Messaging Fails »
Mar 4, 2013 Open for Business »
Mar 2, 2013 Gambling with our coastline »
Feb 17, 2013 Gold Coast Waterways Authority Appointees »
Feb 9, 2013 Expressions of Interest Broadwater Marine Project »
Feb 2, 2013 Analysis of the navigational report 2012 »
Jan 26, 2013 Survey Called into Question »
Jan 19, 2013 Light Rail court battle with Council »
Dec 18, 2012 Bob Katter makes it a Federal issue »
Dec 18, 2012 Self-interest rather than vision »
Dec 13, 2012 A history lesson »
Dec 13, 2012 Land grab confirmed by report »
Dec 12, 2012 Community Information Session 10AM Thurs 13th »
Dec 6, 2012 Selling off our public land and water! »
Dec 5, 2012 Shoals vital to quality waves at Strad »
Dec 3, 2012 A bad week and month for LNP »
Nov 29, 2012 The unethical removal of Dr Alex Douglas »
Nov 25, 2012 No one voted for this »
Nov 13, 2012 Annastacia stands up for the community »
Nov 10, 2012 Father Son »
Nov 10, 2012 The Younger Generation Get It »
Nov 6, 2012 Rally gets Australia wide attention »
Nov 3, 2012 RIP Angus »
Oct 27, 2012 Ignored Tax and Rate payer »
Oct 27, 2012 Broadwater water quality degrading »
Oct 27, 2012 In Union there is strength »
Oct 20, 2012 Leadership not spin »
Oct 16, 2012 Comparing apples with apples »
Oct 12, 2012 Not the Panacea of Gold Coast Economic Woes »
Oct 8, 2012 Divide and Conquer - Trade Off »
Oct 5, 2012 Dawny lets us down »
Oct 3, 2012 Joel Parkinson - thanks »
Oct 2, 2012 Thanks for the support Occy »
Oct 1, 2012 Free Like Me »
Oct 1, 2012 Gold Coast Bulletin backs the people »
Sep 23, 2012 Sembawang disappears into a puff of logic »
Sep 21, 2012 Thanks for the support Kelly »
Sep 19, 2012 Mick Fanning is a legend »
Sep 11, 2012 Ship Terminal Sembawang Wave Break Survey »
Sep 3, 2012 No support for Sembawang Proposal »
Sep 3, 2012 A letter to the Premier »
Aug 28, 2012 Russ Hinze changed his mind 1980 »
Aug 22, 2012 Facebook saving our spit »
Aug 21, 2012 Is the Spit Man Made? »
Aug 14, 2012 The qu is NOT where but WHY? »
Aug 2, 2012 Lose Kirra or Straddie »
Jul 27, 2012 Hello SGC Business Leaders »
Jul 23, 2012 Cruise Ship Terminal - White Elephant »
Jul 17, 2012 Dear Mr Tate »
Jul 9, 2012 City Backs Terminal - NOT »
Jun 22, 2012 Join Us »
Jun 22, 2012 Public Open Space »
Jun 12, 2012 AGM 2011-12 Thurs 21 June 7 pm »
Jun 8, 2012 Dear Mayor and Councillors »
May 31, 2012 A Casino spitting ships »
Apr 26, 2012 Not printed in the local paper »
Mar 3, 2012 Kelly Slater video helps SOSA »
Feb 22, 2012 Broadwater Community Reference Group »
Jan 16, 2012 Cruise Mishap a reminder to us »
Sep 29, 2011 Broadwater Management Plan »
Jun 11, 2011 AGM 2011 Wed 13th »
Oct 22, 2010 Cruise Ship Tourists may not spend »
Aug 31, 2010 Another Broadwater plan »
Jul 20, 2010 Gold Coast Bulletin Frenzy »
Jul 14, 2010 A supporters spit »
Apr 29, 2010 AGM 2010 Tues 18 th May »
Nov 26, 2009 Rich dumping filth in our Broadwater »
Sep 14, 2009 ITU World Triathlon great for Gold Coast »
Sep 1, 2009 letter - Dead section of the Spit »
May 25, 2009 President has a SPIT »
May 13, 2009 AGM 2009 Wed May 27th 6-8 pm »
Apr 24, 2009 Medico supports SOSA »
Apr 1, 2009 Tides of Change - Have your say »
Mar 17, 2009 Navigational Study No Secret »
Feb 25, 2009 News Beatups »
Jan 11, 2009 Safely sharing the seaway »
Oct 24, 2008 Catalyst - invasive species by boat »
Oct 4, 2008 Save Our Spit Stickers Available »
Sep 22, 2008 Government Architect Mr Philip Follent »
Sep 10, 2008 Straddie saved from Receding Hairline »
Sep 4, 2008 Terminal Politicians »
Jul 4, 2008 Terminal terminated so Move On »
May 28, 2008 The Good, The Bad & the Ugly »
May 14, 2008 Oceanway Pathway debacle »
May 14, 2008 GCCC Bulldozes Spit Dunes »
Apr 19, 2008 Celebrate a few victories »
Mar 16, 2008 Domestic visitors spend $3 b on Gold Coast »
Mar 11, 2008 Council Election 2008 »
Jan 8, 2008 Christmas Greeting 2007 »
Jan 2, 2008 Letter to John Mickell MP »
Nov 21, 2007 Friends of Federation Walk new website »
Sep 26, 2007 Paul Lucas pushing Marine Simulator »
Aug 6, 2007 Developers on notice re Local Area Plan »
Aug 4, 2007 Protection for the Gold Coast Spit at last! »
Aug 4, 2007 Premier Beattie Saves Our Spit »
Jul 18, 2007 Spit Training Centre Threat »
May 18, 2007 Lessons from Los Angeles »
Apr 25, 2007 Another Storm for the Spit »
Apr 16, 2007 State Government Threatens Spit… Again »
Apr 13, 2007 Gold Medal Winner and the Spit »
Mar 27, 2007 Sean's letter »
Feb 23, 2007 Sea World Ferris Wheel Fiasco »
Jan 29, 2007 Reignited Protests »
Jan 19, 2007 Financial Review Article - Millionnaire Greenies »
Nov 17, 2006 Beach Spirit Award Winners - The Spit »
Nov 14, 2006 Cruise liner dumps oil in Paradise »
Nov 11, 2006 Developer 'Vision' Not 20:20, say Spitfighters »
Nov 9, 2006 Government plans for future Spit vision: Bligh »
Oct 13, 2006 What a difference 48 hours makes »
Sep 10, 2006 Government Speak »
Sep 10, 2006 Boating Industry views »
Aug 28, 2006 Super Yachts OK- in the Right Place »
Aug 11, 2006 The SpitFight Goes To Canberra »
Aug 5, 2006 Gold Coast Bully - Taken to Task »
Jul 14, 2006 Natural tourism drawcard threatened - Alan Midwood »
Jun 25, 2006 Greatest City Dive at Risk »
Jun 22, 2006 Whales Spotted in Proposed Terminal Site »
Jun 13, 2006 Our letters sent to Peter Beattie via Peter Lawlor »
Jun 11, 2006 Peta-Kaye Croft ignores her constituents on SOS »
Jun 1, 2006 Letter to Gold Coast Bulletin - I am not a Green »
May 31, 2006 A letter to Anna Bligh from Gecko »
May 31, 2006 Spitfighters Fight Back - Life Weekly article »
May 27, 2006 Sailing into murky waters »
May 20, 2006 Life Weekly Magazine article »
May 10, 2006 Gold Coast City Marina - Exposed »
May 3, 2006 Athletes fight to Save their training ground »
Apr 22, 2006 Notional Shipping Terminal Confirms Public Losses »
Apr 21, 2006 Save Our Spit- from Strength to Strength »
Apr 21, 2006 Overseas Cruise Ship Campaigners »
Apr 2, 2006 Gaven - Ominous warning to the Beattie Government »
Mar 30, 2006 What the Gaven by-Election Candidates said »
Mar 23, 2006 Gaven by-Election Media Release »
Mar 19, 2006 Peter Beattie meets SOSA at Robina »
Mar 12, 2006 An historical journey »
Mar 5, 2006 Surf cola »
Mar 5, 2006 Storm surf breaks across Seaway »
Feb 21, 2006 Labor 'greed' on tunnel fiasco - sounds familiar »
Feb 19, 2006 Surf Rage »
Feb 17, 2006 Surfrider - media release »
Feb 13, 2006 Gold Coast - too good for a shipping terminal »
Feb 13, 2006 Peter Beattie and co's dancing figures »
Feb 8, 2006 Master Mariner questions sanity of proposal »
Feb 5, 2006 Surfers promise to wipe out Labor »
Feb 5, 2006 Councillor Susie Douglas's inspiring rally speech »
Feb 3, 2006 Letters to the 'Bully' »
Jan 25, 2006 Surfrider says »
Jan 24, 2006 Pro Terminal threaten to attend rally »
Jan 12, 2006 Public Rally Feb 5th 12 noon »
Jan 11, 2006 Anna Bligh confirms it's not a done deal »
Jan 9, 2006 Who Murdered Mundaka - is Straddie next? »
Dec 21, 2005 MP's Ciobo and Langbroek not happy »
Dec 16, 2005 Ms Levy's band of do-gooders »
Nov 28, 2005 A new Picture - future Spit »
Nov 23, 2005 Anna Bligh and misinformation »
Nov 11, 2005 Bulletin gone quiet »
Nov 5, 2005 Surfrider Foundation's support »
Nov 5, 2005 US Forces get the nod »
Nov 1, 2005 The Global War on Tourism »
Oct 25, 2005 Are Cruise Ships getting too big? »
Oct 14, 2005 Meeting Tuesday 18th October SOS »
Oct 13, 2005 Brad Farmers Message - Letter to the editor »
Oct 11, 2005 A very personal attachment to the Spit »
Oct 10, 2005 Map - SOS opposition to Government Plans »
Oct 7, 2005 Increased Cancer Risk From LA Port Complex Fumes »
Oct 6, 2005 From Strength to Strength in our campaign »
Sep 28, 2005 Venice Sinking under cruise ships »
Sep 21, 2005 Thats not reality but this is »
Sep 18, 2005 EIS rubber stamp? »
Sep 5, 2005 Letter to Bulletin »
Aug 29, 2005 Excerpts: »
Aug 28, 2005 Plans for lakes of effluent on Straddie !!! »
Aug 23, 2005 Not Exactly The Love Boat - New Book »
Aug 3, 2005 Premier sinking Gold Coast dive industry »
Aug 2, 2005 Thumbs up for Councillor Susie Douglas »
Aug 1, 2005 World Class Waves at Risk »
Jul 18, 2005 New Stickers Available »
Jul 18, 2005 Save our spit campaign highlights »
Jul 18, 2005 People and Parks Day Sunday 31st July »
Apr 20, 2005 Trinity Lutheran College Cruise Ship Debate »