General News
16 April, 2026
Shoring up Holloways Beach
LOCAL volunteers have joined a community dune planting day to take practical action in helping to restore and strengthen the Holloways Beach foreshore.
The event encouraged strong community participation, particularly from Northern Beaches residents, and highlighted the important role dune vegetation plays in reducing coastal erosion and improving foreshore resilience.
Coastal erosion has long affected parts of Cairns, with severe weather events such as ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper increasing pressure on the northern beaches and Esplanade foreshore.
These impacts highlight the importance of ongoing restoration works to strengthen the coastline and build long-term resilience in the event of future storms.
During the event, 28 volunteers planted 550 native plants to help stabilise dune systems, trap sand, reduce wind and wave impacts, as well as strengthen the natural barrier protecting coastal homes and infrastructure.
The planting also delivered broader environmental benefits, including improved resilience to storms and sea level rise, while supporting local wildlife and coastal ecosystems.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said the event showed the value of community action in helping protect the coastline.
“Taking action against coastal erosion is essential if we want to protect our beaches, our homes and our community,” she said.
“Healthy dunes are one of our most important natural defences. Every plant put in the ground is a practical investment in protecting our foreshore, supporting local biodiversity and improving the long-term resilience of our coastal areas.” Cr Eden thanked community members who rolled up their sleeves to help improve coastal resilience. The project was jointly funded by commonwealth and state government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
