Supporters

What was so special about Kirra?

Great Listening - Triple J story on the paddle out Surfline Article about Paddle Out

Around a 15-minute drive south of Burleigh Heads Australia, Kirra Point is the northern limit of the fabled Coolangatta, Queensland's most southeastern town and the home of a long line of "Coolie" surfing legends.

In days gone by a long lethal ribbon of sand was responsible for Kirra's supertube magic. Swells used to hit the sandbar at a 45-degree angle and suck their way with increasing intensity toward a small groyne off the Surf club and sometimes even past it.

When the sand was right it was literally sectionless, the barrel forming and reforming like some sort of incredible moving version of a wave machine, yet with all the weight of the ocean pushing behind it. Large volumes of water ran down the outside rim of the sandbar, which made paddling back out a gruelling proposition; many experienced Kirra surfers just got out of the water at a ride's finish and jogged back up along the rim of the point to the jumpoff point.

What is the problem?

The loss of Kirra Point has been caused by an excessive build-up of sand that has been pumped and dredged into Coolangatta Bay over the past 12 years. In this time there have been relatively low levels of storm activity and the sand has not naturally made its way north at the same speed at which it was placed in the bay.

An increase in the level of sand in the bay by 3–4 metres on average has resulted in a significant widening of the beaches – in some cases by over 150m, the loss of surf quality, an increase in rips which has made swimming more dangerous and the loss of Kirra Reef. The reef, which is located at the northern extent of the temperate marine zone and the southern extent of the tropical marine zone supported a diverse range of marine species.

What is the ‘Bring back Kirra’ campaign?

Bring Back Kirra is a campaign by the Gold Coast surfing community to lobby for the restoration of the surf break at Kirra Point. The deepening of the bay will also lead to a greater exposure of Kirra Reef. The campaign recognises the significant community concerns over this issue for many years and builds on the valuable work of committed individuals and groups within the local community.

The Kirra Point Committee was formed in 2007 to bring together a range of local organisations and individuals who are committed to restoring surfing amenity at Kirra Point. In 2009 The committee incorporated under Kirra Point Incorporated.

Long Term Solutions for Kirra Point - KPI Proposals

To restore Kirra Point as an amenity and surf break  for the long term and allow Kirra Point as a surf break alongside the with the Superbank, ultimately an addition to the Superbank.  Pumping would be maintained at East Snapper for the Superbank.

Return the 30 metres of rock to the Big Groyne Kirra Point removed in 1996 - requires GCCC and State Government (DERM) approvals.

This will:

• Clean up the end of the big groyne Kirra as the submerged foundation rocks are hazardous/dangerous.   The submerged rocks in their current state alter the sand flow around the big groyne and does not promote a good surfing bank.
• Aid in coastal protection.
• Return Kirra Point as an amenity and a surf break for the all of the public to enjoy.  

The foundation rocks (some submerged, some not) of Kirra Big Groyne that were left by the council when the 30 metres was attempted to be removed winter 1996 change the water flow and this in turn does not promote a good surfing bank and encourages sand accretion at Kirra Beach. No community consultation was done prior to this removal of the 30 metres of Big Groyne.

Extend dredge deposition zones to allow  sand placement at Bilinga and/or East Snapper Rocks, placement will depend on assessing where it’s required at that point in time - requires TRESBP and GCCC approvals.

• Bilinga – when there is excessive sand in the East Snapper /Coolangatta bay area and the sand is not required at East Snapper Rocks. This solution was suggested in 2004 to TRESBP in community meetings when the volumes pumped were up to 2 times the natural littoral drift and Coolangatta was clogged up with sand. No sand should be placed in Coolangatta Bay.
• Snapper Rocks East –when it is required and when there is a lack of sand at East Snapper Rocks. This situation can be will need to be closely managed and monitored in line with what nature throws upon us.  Eg, the dredge could be utilized when there is a hole at Snapper Rocks and/or for preparation of surfing breaks for the Quicksilver Pro. Sand delivery should be in waters of a depth between 2-4 metres as this is the depth that allows for maximum sand movement and will link up with sand pumped from East Snapper Rocks onto the Superbank.  Sand should not be placed in any waters deeper than 4 metres.        

Who is on the committee?

Chairman:

Wayne Deane (Surfing Industry and Snapper Rocks Boardriders Club)
E: waynedeane@live.com 

KPI Working Group: Wayne Deane (Surfing Industry, Snapper Rocks Boardriders Club),
Dr Neil Lazarow (Griffith University Centre for Coastal Management), Joseph Nowak (local community), John Standing (local community), Deborah Duncan (Marine Biologist), Steve Korn (local community).

KPI Advisory Group: Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew (Snapper Rocks Boardriders Club), Matt Butel (Surfrider Foundation and Kirra Surfriders Club), Bruce Lee (Surfing Industry and Snapper Rocks Boardriders Club), Steve Hunt (Media Hunt Communications), Shaun Rose (local community), Bob Moffatt (Marine Biologist), John Rankin (Kirra Business Group), and Daryl Green (Kirra Surfriders Club).

Finances:
Joseph Nowak - treasurer. At present all income is banked and held in a separate account in trust for Kirra Point Inc. All expenditure is approved by Kirra Point Inc.

Web development sponsored by: