Gold Coast beaches eroded by Cyclone Alfred all open in time for summer holidays
Narrowneck Beach has reopened to the public. (ABC Gold Coast: Danielle Mahe)
In short:
The City of Gold Coast has spent $35 million to restore its eroded beaches.
The works have been praised by local tourism operators, who say holiday bookings are looking healthy.
Meanwhile, extra lifeguards have been recruited as they anticipate a busy summer period.
Gold Coast authorities say beaches across the city are all open for the first time in eight months.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred battered the coastline in March and washed away an estimated six million cubic metres of sand.
The severe erosion narrowed the beach and forced the closure of nine of the Gold Coast's northern beaches.
"All beaches are open and looking spectacular in time for the summer holidays," a City of Gold Coast spokesperson said in a statement.
The council said it had spent $35 million to restore its eroded beaches using heavy machinery and a dredging barge to speed up the process.
A spokesperson said about 1.6 million cubic metres of sand had been deposited either offshore or onshore between April and November.
They said the works had shortened the estimated recovery time from four years to about 12 months.
"Significant progress has been achieved," the spokesperson said.
Some beach access points along the city's coastline remain closed. (ABC Gold Coast: Danielle Mahe)
Local tourism operators like Marion Simon have welcomed the works.
Ms Simon, who manages a holiday apartment complex, said many guests would ask for an update on the beaches before making bookings.
"We got to a point that we actually put together portfolio photographs," she said.
"We would actually send that out to people and say this is what our beaches are looking like."
Marion Simon says she's pleased with the restoration efforts. (ABC Gold Coast: Steve Keen)
Ms Simon said her bookings for the summer holidays were looking "healthy" and praised the beach restoration efforts.
"I think the amount of money, the amount of time, effort and energy and expertise that has been pumped into getting our beaches right has been phenomenal."
Meanwhile, beachgoers are being warned to swim between the flags, with lifeguards bracing for a busy summer.
"It's that same messaging as everyone flocks back to the beach," chief lifeguard Will Ashley said.
Extra lifeguards are being recruited for the summer period. (ABC Gold Coast: Danielle Mahe)
Extra staff had been recruited to support the 200 lifeguards who would be patrolling the beaches every day, he added.
"We want everyone to look out for each other and have a safe and fun time at the beach this Christmas and summer."