30,000 cubic metres of sand will be dredged from the mouth of Richters Creek to replenish the popular Holloways Beach sands, a process which began yesterday.

Cairns Regional Council said that the 'renourishment' is necessary due to the nature of swell and storm erosion, and is undertaken every 2-3 years.
 
A Council spokesperson said that the work adhered to all necessary environmental regulations and is carried out under licence from Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM).

Richters Creek is classed as having  a sufficient supply of sand to undertake this work .

"The mouth of Richters Creek constantly receives sand deposits naturally.  The creek returns to its pre-dredging state during the wet season after the dredging work has been undertaken," the spokesperson said.
 
Acting Mayor Alan Blake said as trucks were not involved in transporting the sand there would be no traffic interference or delays.
 
“The beach itself will not be closed, however, the swimming enclosure will be removed from the water from Monday January 10 until about January 18,” Cr Blake said.
 
“Sand will be piped into the stinger net area to replace sand that has been lost to storm and swell erosion.
 
“Pipes will be laid along the beach to transport approximately 30,000 cubic metres of sand dredged to clear the mouth of Richters Creek,” Cr Blake said.
 
Clifton Beach, Trinity Beach, Palm Cove, and Cairns Esplanade have all undergone sand replenishment in the last six months.