A state government-led review has recommended rebuilding a fractured island off the Sunshine Coast to protect communities on the mainland.
A report by independent analysts International Coastal Management (ICM) and RPS suggested sealing an expansive tidal breakthrough at Bribie Island and reopening the silted Caloundra Bar, among a suite of measures designed to reduce the risk of flooding and damage to coastal areas.
The groups outlined four key long-term recommendations in Part 3 of their review of the island’s erosion. They included reinstating the island/closing the main breakthrough, enhancing the island and Pumicestone Passage for improved resilience, developing and implementing long-term management pathways, and reassessing environmental zoning and permitting.
Earlier parts of the review prompted a $20 million funding package to address pressing the most pressing issues in the area.
The recommendations, which are now open for community consultation, have been welcomed by local community group the Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Body, which is committed to protecting the area.
Want more free local news? Follow Sunshine Coast News on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and sign up for our FREE daily news email.
ICM stated that reinstating the breached section of the island would be a “critical early intervention”.
“This involves a large-scale dredging and nourishment campaign, drawing material from identified sources (eg the filled Caloundra Bar, internal shoals and other sources) and restoring a target dune width and elevation,” it said.
“Temporary measures, such as sand-filled geotextile containers, may be deployed to stabilise the island while vegetation re-establishes.
“This approach is not a return to the past but rather a strategic reset to improve tidal conditions, reduce wave energy entering the passage and buy time for more permanent and robust solutions to be implemented. Reinstatement is the foundation upon which further enhancements and management will rely on.”
The report suggested a package of longer-term resilience strategies including multipurpose reefs, artificial headlands, buried walls, ecological restoration (such as oyster and mangrove rehabilitation), channel realignment and dune buffers.
“Reinstating Bribie Island as it once was is not enough to meet future challenges,” it said.
“It (the report) proposes a proactive, resilience-focused approach that combines natural processes with targeted structural enhancements to better withstand future storm impacts, sea-level rise and coastal erosion.”
The 45-page document also stated that a “shift in mindset” was needed and the island should become a “managed coastal resilience asset”.
“This involves defining long-term ownership, responsibility and funding framework and establishing protocols for adaptive maintenance (eg sediment nourishment, vegetation management, emergency response),” it said.
The report also suggested that “significant reform” to regulations would be required.
“This recommendation calls for a thorough review of zoning configurations and permitting pathways, with a focus on defining new approval categories, special management areas, or legislative changes that can enable necessary works while respecting environmental values,” it said.
ICM emphasised that the recommendations are “conceptual in nature”.
“They do not constitute final designs but provide a strategic basis for progressing to the next phase of coastal planning, including detailed design, environmental assessment, stakeholder consultation and agency coordination,” it said.
“Through ongoing implementation, monitoring and adaptation, these recommendations aim to set a new standard for proactive coastal management in one of Australia’s most dynamic natural systems.”
The PPCMB welcomed the report.
“While detailed designs are yet to be worked out, the PPCMB supports all four recommendations in Report 3,” the group stated.
“We need to close breakthrough No.1 and build back a strong barrier island to protect the Caloundra community.
“We need to reopen the old bar in a safe, stable and navigable way, in the vicinity of its traditional location at Bulcock Beach.
“This is also necessary to re-establish water flow and restore the tidal prism to pre-breakthrough conditions, as these were the conditions around which we built our community.”
The PPCMB said enhanced measures would provide safety and reliability at the bar for the Coast Guard and the boating community.
The group also wants an overseer and reassessment of zoning and permitting.
“A clear management plan and a dedicated management authority for the passage is essential to maintain and sustain a viable barrier island and healthy navigable waterway,” it said.
“The current regulations are inflexible and prevent positive and timely protective action being taken for the area.”
Consultation is open on the proposed long-term recommendations via an online survey, until Sunday, August 17.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, who is also the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, did not say if the recommendations would be followed but said the state government welcomed Part 3 of the review.
“This feedback will inform the Crisafulli Government’s ongoing response and implementation of measures to address the Bribie Island erosion impacts, putting community at the decision-making table,” he said.
“The Crisafulli Government welcomes the release of Part 3 of the Bribie Island erosion and breakthrough review amid ongoing consultation with the community, council and other key stakeholders.
“Early works to close the southern breakthroughs as part of the Crisafulli Government’s $20 million emergency response are already underway to address the first set of recommendations provided by the independent expert consultants.”
