Analysis of a tidal breakthrough off the Sunshine Coast has revealed a bold proposal for a broadwater that ultimately never got off the ground.
The Bribie Island Erosion and Breakthrough Review, conducted by ICM Coastal Specialists and RPS for the state government, included an evaluation of the area in the decades leading up to the wild weather events that split the island in 2022 and 2025.
Part one of the four-part report notes several ‘investigations’ that were held during the 1970s and 1980s, and the source list includes correspondence regarding a ‘Caloundra Broadwater Proposal’.
A 1984 sketch of the proposal shows a large southerly spit from Happy Valley with a harbour and marina, a resort and shops. It also includes townhouses, units and parkland.
The drawing also has location names like ‘Happy Valley Harbour’ and ‘Deep Water Point’.
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It also shows ‘Pumicestone Point’ at the southern end of the spit, beside a narrow passage separating it and Bribie Island.
The review stated that the proposal was put forward by Cardno & Davies, which were also involved in a major engineering project in Queensland.
The review said the proposal “notes erosion of Kings Beach and the inner side of Bribie Island opposite Nelson Street” and advises that “it is known that these changes are mainly due to an oscillation of the position of the bar or outlet from Pumicestone Passage”.
“A stable ocean outlet is proposed for construction at the eroding section of Bribie Island and closure of the bar at the headland,” it reads.
“It is worth noting that construction of the Gold Coast Seaway was commencing around this time (~1984) and that Cardno & Davies, the author of this correspondence, was involved in the design of the seaway and sand bypass.”
The events of the past four years included a significant tidal breakthrough in 2022, the Caloundra Bar filling with sand, tides changing and two breakthroughs in 2025.
The state government announced, last year, a multimillion-dollar emergency works package to help fill two of the breakthroughs with sand, create a channel in the passage and prop up sections of the island with sand, to better protect the coastline from erosion and mainland communities from the elements. Much of that work was rapidly completed.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the state government “took swift and decisive action with crews working around the clock to build a protective barrier … ahead of the storm season”.
“The final review report is informed by community feedback and expert recommendations while laying the groundwork for the comprehensive planning measures for long-term protection outlined in the review.
“There is a lot of work to do to … but this is another critical step to safeguard the local community whose feedback is a key input into this report.”
Authorities also announced, in November, in principle support for further recommendations in the review, including filling the initial expansive breakthrough and reopening the Caloundra Bar.
The Coordinator-General has been asked to lead investigations into long-term options for Bribie Island and Pumicestone Passage.
This process will consider all possible strategies to manage the complex system, as identified in the review, guided by expert advice and community input, including detailed planning, investigations and environmental studies to support the application for environmental approvals under the federal government for further capital works.
The review notes the sketch of the proposed broadwater was “possibly an internal memo” and there is no evidence of submission to, or consideration by, the government at the time.
