About the project

In December 1999, the NSW and Queensland State Governments awarded contracts to a consortium led by McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd for the development and operation of a permanent sand bypassing system for the Tweed River entrance.

The contracts provide for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of a system until September 2024.

To achieve the project objectives, McConnell Dowell developed a fixed sand bypassing system, and will also dredge, if necessary, to keep the channel at the Tweed River entrance navigable and to deliver ordered quantities of sand to the southern Gold Coast beaches.

Benefits

The local fishing industry, beachgoers and local residents benefit from this project in several ways:

• The project provides easier and safer access for the commercial fishing fleet and other commercial and recreational boats.
• Water quality in the Tweed River estuary will be maintained through reduction in future estuary shoaling.
• The southern Gold Coast beaches have been restored, and the consistency of surf conditions at Snapper Rocks has improved.
• The larger beaches are more stable and provide some protection to Gold Coast foreshore development against storm erosion.