A 2.7km sand erosion fence has been built along an island off the Sunshine Coast, to help protect coastal communities from the elements.
The temporary barrier was installed along the northern end of Bribie Island, where dunes were rebuilt as part of state government emergency works.
The fencing, seen in Damien Lange’s video below, is expected to help stabilise the dunes by capturing wind‑blown sand and reduce erosion, ahead of revegetation and longer‑term coastal resilience works.
The structure consists of untreated hardwood stakes and jute matting.
It is the latest measure taken by authorities to fortify the island, after three tidal breakthroughs exposed coastline suburbs of Caloundra to the open ocean.
Emergency works have previously included filling two breakthroughs with more than 1.1 million cubic metres of dredged sand, opening a channel in the Pumicestone Passage and constructing an extensive sand erosion buffer that is now about 5m high.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the project was crucial.
“We said we would restore Bribie Island and the Pumicestone Passage and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” he said.
“This work is about protecting one of Queensland’s most iconic coastal environments and ensuring stronger protection for the Golden Beach community now and into the future.”
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While the emergency works are expected to provide immediate protection to local communities and their coastal and marine environments, investigations and early planning continue to progress considerations and recommendations of the Bribie Island Erosion and Breakthrough Review.
An independent review by coastal experts RPS and International Coastal Management, conducted last year, also suggested large-scale solutions including plugging the main breakthrough and reopening the sand-clogged Caloundra Bar.
“Reinstating the island and reopening the historical entrance offers a pragmatic and lower-risk option,” it stated.
“It is more consistent with the objectives to: stabilise tidal regimes and wave conditions; improve navigation and water quality; protect critical coastal assets; and buy time for the development of fully integrated, long-term solutions.”
A local community group, the Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Body, has previously backed the recommendation to plug the large gap.
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