The Bribie Island tidal sandbar breakthrough happened earlier than the 20-30 years predicted by a 2009 Natural Disaster Mitigation Program. Photo: Bluey’s Photography.
The Queensland Government has begun a review into the tidal breakthrough of the sandbar at the northern end of Bribie Island, opposite the Sunshine Coast.
The breakthrough occurred at the top end of the island, near Caloundra, under relentless pressure from big seas and high tides caused by February’s ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which sat off the Sunshine Coast for nearly a week.
The review has seen the appointment of an expert independent reviewer and the release of the terms of reference. It will be led by coastal engineering firm RPS and International Coastal Management (ICM), and will have a strong focus on public consultation with the local community to ensure their concerns are heard.
The breakthrough had been forecast to occur within 20 to 30 years by a 2009 Natural Disaster Mitigation Program, but the reality occurred sooner than expected.
Google Earth imagery of the area shows the original channel from the Pumicestone Passage into the ocean off Caloundra’s Happy Valley Park remained open and navigable as recently as 2020. But subsequent images from 2022 show a breakthrough of the sandbar about a kilometre south of the original channel in 2022, and the subsequent closure of the original channel from 2023 into 2024.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred further exacerbated the issue, with a new breakthrough occurring several hundred metres south of the 2022 split, while the original breakthrough was massively widened.
The breakthroughs have resulted in several issues and new threats to the region, especially to the residents of Golden Beach and Pelican Waters, which had previously been protected by the island.
These threats include an increased tidal range of about 15 centimetres, higher levels of foreshore erosion caused by increased wave propagation through the breakthrough, the potential for local flooding, increased storm tide levels, loss of dune habitat, and the shoaling and subsequent closure of the original channel entrance.
Remediation work could include dredging and foreshore nourishment along Golden Beach to provide additional erosion buffering, shore protection for the foreshore area inside the passage, and improved policy and regulation to control development in those areas potentially affected by the rise in sea levels.
Queensland’s Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said securing experts with international experience in this field was a key step in getting the review underway.
“The former Labor government failed to take action to address the breakthrough, despite locals raising ongoing concerns with impacts worsening,” he said.
“Ongoing erosion continues to affect Bribie Island and the broader Caloundra community, which is why the government is responding.
“Both RPS and ICM bring a wealth of knowledge in coastal engineering that will be critical in identifying both immediate actions and long-term solutions to address community concerns.
“Community consultation will ensure the review is locally informed, providing an evidence-based platform to enable the voices and views of locals and key stakeholders.”
Member for Caloundra Kendall Morton said local residents deserved praise for raising the issue with the government.
“The government has heard the concerns of the community and we are taking swift action,” she said.
“This is a big issue in our community, and I urge locals to come forward and work with us on the current impacts and potential solutions.
“This collaborative approach demonstrates the Crisafulli Government’s resolve to work closely with the people affected.
“I look forward to the experts’ insights and solutions that will help preserve the lifestyle enjoyed by locals in Golden Beach and the surrounding community.”
