Lawson, S., Hunt, S., Bunt, J. and Waddell, M., 2007. A lesson in managing political will, community pressure and State Government constraints at a local government level - Toogoom Seawall Project. Journal of Coastal Research, SI 50 (Proceedings of the 9th International Coastal Symposium), 29 – 32. Gold Coast, Australia, ISSN 0749.0208

Hervey Bay City Council is a medium sized local government authority with management responsibility over 60km of coastline. At a small coastal village to the north of the main urban area in Hervey Bay, Australia, persistent coastal erosion and poor planning decisions over the past 50 years has left private property at immediate risk of loss. Hervey Bay City Council identified the need to undertake coastal protection works at this location and initiated a project to better understand the physical processes shaping the coastline and to prepare various options to address the conflict between the eroding beach and the developed shoreline. This paper examines the challenges faced by local government in selecting and implementing shoreline protection strategies in Queensland, whilst attempting to manage the diverse pressures from the community, Elected Officials and State Government Agencies. It recommends improved integration and consultation between State Government Agencies and with Local Government to ensure improved delivery and streamlined timelines for coastal protection works for Local Government.