The state marine authority is urging boaties to avoid a tidal breakthrough at an island off the Sunshine Coast, after it emerged that dozens of vessels are passing through the unrecognised bar on some days.
Maritime Safety Queensland said skippers should steer clear of the 200m opening, which overwhelmed Lions Park at Bribie Island, despite some suggestions that it could be a safer route than the nearby Bribie Bar.
“MSQ does not recommend vessels transit through it,” a spokesperson said.
“This breakthrough is not designated as a coastal bar due to its current characteristics and the associated risks, including underwater debris.”
But it could become a legitimate option for boaties before it is filled with sand to counter erosion impacts on the mainland.
“MSQ will continue to monitor the situation. If the breakthrough evolves into a dominant and stable navigable channel, MSQ may consider designating it as a coastal bar,” the spokesperson said. “However, at this stage, it remains unrecognised and boaties are advised to avoid using it for transit.”
MSQ revealed that “dozens” of boats were estimated to be going through the breakthrough on some days, “especially on weekends and when the weather is favourable”.
The Caloundra Coast Guard regularly inspects the area, as seen in the video above, and commander Roger Pearce said it was “quite safe”.
“Generally speaking, it’s probably deeper and safer in some respects to the Bribie Bar,” he said.
“(At the Bribie Bar) you must go parallel to the sand spit before you head out to sea. When there’s a swell and you’re going parallel to it, it’s quite dangerous.”
But Cmdr Pearce also urged boaties to be cautious around the breakthrough near the old Lions Park.
“A rogue wave can flip you over in seconds but people don’t see that happening and think they’re immune to it,” he said.
The state government announced earlier this month that the breakthrough would be filled with sand to combat erosion risks to coastal communities.
Mr Pearce said the strip of land between the Bribie Bar and the breakthrough near the old Lions Park could be overrun by water if measures aren’t taken.
“It could disappear completely and then you’d have open wave action straight on to Golden Beach and Diamond Head,” he said.
Cmdr Pearce also said the $20 million project could make the partially sand-clogged Bribie Bar safer for boaties.
“At the moment, most of the water is going out through the breakthrough near Lions Park but it (the project) should allow more water to go out through the Bribie Bar again. It could flush it out,” he said.
The MSQ spokesperson said the closure of the breakthrough near the old Lions Park would “increase the dominance of the Bribie Island Bar as the primary offshore access point in the area” but could not say whether there would be improved conditions for vessels there.
“Coastal bars are inherently dynamic. MSQ cannot guarantee that this will result in easier transit for small vessels through the Bribie Island Bar,” they said.
“Boaties should remain vigilant and continue to assess conditions carefully before attempting any crossing.”
Meanwhile, a Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning spokesperson said the closure of the Lions Park breakthrough was “not expected to significantly affect” the Bribie Bar.
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A video by drone operator Damien Lange, above, shows the different breaks in the island.
The Bribie Bar, which formed as a result of a tidal breakthrough in early 2022, is now about 1.7km wide and about 1 metre deep, although a deeper channel exceeds 3 metres.
The breakthrough near the old Lions Park to the south, which occurred in March, is now about 200 metres wide and 2-3 metres deep.
A potential breakthrough area, technically a tidal washover, further to the south is 70-80 metres wide.
The Lions Park breakthrough and the washover area will be filled with sand but the DES spokesperson could not say when that will occur.
“The department has urgently started the procurement process following the announced $20 million allocated for rapid deployment of immediate and urgent works ahead of storm season,” they said.
“Further updates on works timing will be provided once the procurement process has been finalised.”
