Boardwalk rejuvenation delivers showpiece

A $4 million renewal project jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under  Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) has breathed new life into the Beree-Badalla Reserve Boardwalk.

The popular Palm Beach boardwalk has reopened bigger and better than before after sustaining major flood damage in early 2022. 

Strengthened resilience and improved accessibility on the 640-metre boardwalk have been front and centre of the project which has transformed the dilapidated piece of infrastructure into a showpiece. 

Fibreglass reinforced plastic, a sustainable material ideal for use in corrosive saltwater and exposed marine environments like Beree-Badalla Reserve, was used in the boardwalk rebuild.

Widened to three metres and boasting a high-grip, long-life surface, the boardwalk is now safe and fully accessible for the thousands of Gold Coast residents and visitors who use it each year. 

Using a material that does not rust, break down or require continual coatings is also a significant win for the local environment, reducing the impact the new boardwalk will have on local wildlife and vegetation.

Funded through the Community and Recreational Asset Recovery and Resilience Program, the renewal project has also delivered public amenities such as fishing platforms, shaded seating areas, a launch ramp and shower facilities.

These upgrades will promote greater use of the reserve through initiatives such as NaturallyGC workshops that will showcase the local marine environment. 

A key feature of the renewed Beree-Badalla Reserve Boardwalk is its increased resilience against storm surge, a quality that has already been successfully put to the test. 

Rebuilt to a better, more resilient standard, the boardwalk is an impressive piece of community infrastructure set to benefit locals, visitors, and the area’s unique marine ecosystem for generations.