Australia’s iconic glitter-strip beaches are undergoing an unusual makeover with sand being pumped in a rainbow-shaped arc through the air to save the coastline.

The rainbow dredging is helping to revitalise Gold Coast beaches that suffered severe erosion after being hit by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred’s monster waves of up to 12 metres a month ago.

More than 80 per cent of the glitter strip’s beaches had “gone into the ocean” following the devastation caused by the cyclone, Mayor Tom Tate said.

On Tuesday, rainbow-style dredging was underway, with a barge pumping sand that has been pulled offshore back towards the beach in an arc through the air.

More than four million cubic metres of sand were washed away during the cyclone. The dredging barge set to pump it back onto the beach, working 24/7 over the next eight weeks.

But Tate wants more state government funding to help with the beach revitalisation efforts – and was told it would be approved.

“I got a reassurance that the funding will be there; it’s a timing issue,” he said Tuesday.

He estimated the restoration work would cost $10 million.

Tate also apologised for making a pointed comment at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday, when he mistakenly called for federal government funds instead of state.

“It’s like one of those uncles that come to your Christmas party. I love you, I cuddle you, but there’s no present,” he said on Monday.

“My attitude is you can’t rely on that uncle, so uncle Albo, please sign the cheque.”

Meanwhile, beaches remain open for business and tourists are flocking to the iconic sites during the Easter school holidays, despite the waves of sand interrupting the picturesque views.

Tate said even with the dredging underway it was still safe to visit the beaches. However, he did urge surfers to steer clear of the machinery.

“If you cherish your surfboard, like most surfers do, you don’t want to go near there and have your surfboard sand blasted,” he said.

Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki urged holidaymakers to keep the sunshine state at the top of their destination lists as it recovered.

“We want to get Queensland back up and running after a very difficult summer of natural disasters,” he said.

“Whether it’s in Gold Coast or in the far west, we want to make sure that holiday makers know that we’re open for business and they can get back to enjoying what we love.”

Ex-tropical cyclone Alfred swept across the south-east Queensland coast a month ago, felling trees, flooding roads and cutting power to hundreds of thousands of people.

-AAP