Protecting coastal vegetation and sand dunes

A sand dune and tree branch

Our coastal landscape is rich in cultural history and the backdrop to life in Moreton Bay. Our extensive network of sand dunes provide nesting habitats for sea turtles and birdlife like the rainbow bee-eater.

Why protecting dunes and vegetation is important

Most of our coastline forms part of the Moreton Bay Marine Park. The marine park is internationally recognised and protected. 

Native vegetation plays an important role in our coastal ecosystems, it:

  • stabilises our coastal landscapes
  • protects sand dunes from wind erosion
  • builds up the dunes by trapping windblown sand
  • provides food and habitat for native animals and migratory birds. 

Impacts of damaged vegetation and environmental vandalism

Damaging coastal vegetation is environmental vandalism. Damaged vegetation impacts the stability of sand dunes, making that area more susceptible to erosion. This can lead to gaps in the dune. These gaps grow and erode the rest of the dune system, impacting nearby properties and infrastructure.

Environmental vandalism includes:

  • cutting trees off at the base of the trunk
  • cutting or breaking off branches
  • breaking the tops off younger trees
  • pulling out, drilling into, mowing over, clearing, and poisoning trees.

Damaging coastal vegetation affects the habitat of native animals and migratory birds. It can also increase the impact of light pollution on nesting turtles. 

How you can help protect vegetation and coastlines

There are things we can all do to help protect our coastal landscapes. If you are visiting our coastal areas, you should:

  • leave driftwood and fallen branches where you find them
  • never light fires on beaches and near dune vegetation
  • stick to designated beach access tracks
  • not drive on dunes and dune vegetation
  • consider becoming a volunteer with a Bushcare group. 

If you own property on the Moreton Bay coastline, you can:

  • plant appropriate native vegetation to help stabilise dune areas
  • avoid planting turf in the dune area
  • plant only native trees and shrubs in your garden
  • dispose of garden waste properly
  • maintain trees and shrubs in foredune areas.

Report an issue

To report an issue on our coastline, submit a request to Council.

Report a coastal issue

Coastsnap

You can help Council monitor erosion and record our changing coast through CoastSnap, a citizen-science monitoring system. Simply take photos at set coastal sites across our city and upload them using the free Coastsnap app. Find out more about CoastSnap.

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