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Widening 'gap' in Bribie Island sparks flooding concerns as Coast braces for more wild weather

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A long-time Golden Beach resident fears his suburb is becoming more prone to flooding due to the widening “gap” in Bribie Island.

Water spilled over into some streets and parks, with the 2.1m high tide on Tuesday morning.

Nearby residents were so concerned they contacted Sunshine Coast Council to ask what could be done to protect their homes if the situation worsened.

Another high tide of 2.1m is due Wednesday at 9.30am, while a high tide of 2m is expected on Thursday at 10.16am.

High tides, combined with expected wild seas, strong winds and possible heavy rain associated with thunder storms later in the week, could impact a number of Coast beaches already been hit hard by two recent cyclone swells.

Seas of 2.5m to 4m are predicted along the south-east coastline from Friday and could persist until Tuesday.

The Bureau also says we can expect winds between 25 and 35-knots (46km/h and 65km/h), possibly up to 40 knots (74km/h) at times, with Friday the most blustery day.

Moffat Beach is pounded on the high tide Tuesday. Picture: Blueys Photography

Small waves have been seen breaking through the new channel between Bribie Island and the Pumicestone Passage, opposite Golden Beach.

Local Ian Murray, who is among those worried about the Golden Beach foreshore, was at Monash Park to photograph some of the high tide flooding on Tuesday.

He fears it is a sign of things to come.

“In 20 years, I’ve never seen anything like it,” Mr Murray said.

“It inundated the lower section of the park, and also up near Diamond Head.

“We’ve had king tides before but never had it in this far … it’s definitely to do with the gap in Bribie.”

The breakthrough, with Golden Beach in the background. Picture: Blueys Photography.

Mr Murray was concerned the breakthrough, which occurred in early January, could get larger and create significant flooding.

“It (the gap) is about 300m wide at the moment and if it were to become even wider, I think that would cause serious inundation in the lower parts of Golden Beach,” he said.

“At the moment it’s liveable here, although I’m not sure Council are going to want to clean up after a high tide every month, which is what they’re doing at the moment.”

“But the danger will be if the gap widens.”

Community groups have called for action after the breakthrough, while a renowned Golden Beach business has been seriously affected and some long-time locals feared the region could be changed forever.

The new ‘Northern Bribie Island’, with Golden Beach in the background. Picture: Blueys Photography.

Coast Guard Caloundra commander Roger Pearce said there was usually some minor flooding associated with king tides at Golden Beach.

“As far as I’m away there was no adverse problems this time, it was just high water,” he said.

“Although, I saw some photos of the little walkway in the mangroves (likely at Monash Park), where waves washed up under the timber walkway.

“There were little waves coming across to Golden Beach on the high tide, so it may be a result of a few waves breaking into the park.”

But Mr Pearce said Thursday’s tide could be telling.

“If there’s going to be any activity, it will be then, because there’s a 4m swell behind it,” he said.

“That’s the big day.

“Thursday will be bigger if that storm surge comes on top of the tide. There will be a lot more problems in places like Monash Park.”

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