Redland City Council would like to set the record straight regarding a story published online by The Courier-Mail on 15 September 2025 about foreshore protection works at Oyster Point, Cleveland.
The works mentioned in the article included providing further protection from erosion for a midden located on the site.
The claim in the article that a midden had been damaged is incorrect.
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Council initially sought a quote from QYAC for the cultural heritage work relating to the Oyster Point project but proceeded with an independent consultant, while also ensuring compliance with its duty of care for the preservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage.
During the design process, Council engaged the services of an external cultural heritage archaeologist to undertake a detailed assessment of the site.
The expert made recommendations that directly shaped the design, including minimising excavation.
During construction, an excavator was used to remove only the top grass surface layer, as a midden was surveyed as being deeper than the surface layer removed.
No midden material was excavated or disturbed.
An excavator was also used to place new fill, rock bags and rocks on the site.
Additional vegetation was then planted to further stabilise the ground.
The strategic placement of removable rock bags and concrete blocks further acts to reduce risk from wave damage.
The works undertaken will minimise foreshore erosion and protect the midden for generations to come.
Council has invited representatives of QYAC to visit the Oyster Point project site for a detailed briefing on the project methodology and how Council is working to protect this important cultural heritage site.
The foreshore works at Oyster Point are part of Council’s Coastal Hazard Adaption Strategy, which enables Council to mitigate the impacts of coastal hazards on our communities, environment, cultural values, infrastructure, liveability, and services, now and into the future.
The coastal protection project at Oyster Point received funding through the state-wide QCoast 2100 program and employs a combination of nature-based solutions and engineered methods to support the coastal ecosystem and improve resilience against coastline erosion.
