General News
23 February, 2026
Beach blights now repaired
DAMAGE to Mission Beach’s foreshore area where the CBD connects with the beach has been remediated by Cassowary Coast Regional Council after a wet season deluge left a section of the town’s major revitalisation project in a mess.
Pictures obtained by The Observer after heavy rain at the end of December showed a section of footpath connecting David St with the beach transformed into rubble.
“The Mission Beach project site experienced water-related damage following an intense rainfall event, with more than 1.2m of rain falling over four days,” a council spokeswoman said.
The area was cordoned off for about a month as a result.
According to council, the heavy rainfall and severe weather caused water to undermine the section of footpath.
“Remediation works to restore the affected and water-damaged areas have now been completed,” the spokeswoman said.
“In addition, rock protection at a culvert outlet became exposed due to a combination of high tides and stormwater discharge during the rain event. This area has also been remediated.”
Council said the project was aimed at reshaping Porter Promenade and the beachfront precinct, including David St, opening clearer views to the foreshore, strengthening infrastructure for the future and creating a safer, accessible, and more welcoming town centre for locals and visitors.
Major works already completed include new stormwater infrastructure, a new watermain, underground power and removal of ageing structures and garden beds.
But photos from a reader when the drainage works and most of the other sections of the $16.7 million CBD revitalisation project were complete, showing various defects and pointing out the foreshore path damage.
Local resident Allison Jetski also wrote to council CEO Andrew Graffen.
“No drain exists where there should be one, now water is running across the undercover walkway, creating an unnecessary slip hazard,” Ms Jetski said.
Mr Graffen wrote back.
“The project is now within the defects liability period, during which the contractor remains contractually responsible for identifying, rectifying and making good defects, workmanship issues and performance matters that arise,” Mr Graffen said.
“Items such as cracking, drainage performance, surface finishes, safety concerns and amenity defects are assessed, documented and addressed through this formal process.”
A council spokeswoman also said: “The project’s stormwater infrastructure performed as designed with only a small section requiring some minor remediation, which has been completed.
“There are no outstanding defects relating to the operation of stormwater drainage systems in the Mission Beach CBD,” she said.
“Following the recent rain event, some stormwater drains in the Village Green were found to be partially filled with silt. These were cleaned by the contractor on site, and no further issues have been identified.”
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