Dredging work is about to start as part of a $20 million emergency package to address erosion and tidal breakthrough impacts at an island off the Sunshine Coast.
The dredger will start operating in the Pumicestone Passage on Sunday, to help restore sections of Bribie Island and help protect coastal communities ahead of storm season.
A site compound was established in recent weeks and crews have now started welding together 100m-long pipe strings and floating them out to the dredger via the Golden Beach foreshore, north of the Caloundra Power Boat Club.
Breakthroughs two and three are scheduled to be closed, and nourishment of the island between breakthrough one and three started, by the end of November, with all dredging and associated construction works scheduled to be completed by the end of April.
On-water dredging activities will occur up to 24 hours a day with most on-land construction activity occurring between 6am and 6pm, daily. Excavators and bulldozers appear to have started preliminary works on parts of the island this week.
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Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the works were critical in safeguarding the local community following years of erosion.
“The Crisafulli Government is taking action ahead of the upcoming storm season,” he said.
“Without intervention, remaining sections of the island may be lost entirely, creating significant safety and infrastructure risks to the Caloundra community and users of Pumicestone Passage.
“This emergency package is delivering real action now, while laying the foundations for the long-term restoration and protection of this iconic part of Queensland’s coastline.
“The Crisafulli Government is committed to restoring and protecting Bribie Island and the Pumicestone Passage for generations to come and these emergency works are an important milestone for the Bribie Island community and the broader Sunshine Coast.
“We know how important Bribie Island and the Pumicestone Passage are – not just for locals, but for tourism, the environment and the safety of nearby communities as we head into storm season.”
Member for Caloundra Kendall Morton said the emergency package delivered immediate action to protect the coastline communities.
“Residents of Golden Beach and surrounds have seen firsthand the impact of erosion and changing tidal flows,” she said.
Member for Pumicestone Ariana Doolan said the investment would help preserve the area for generations to come.
“Protecting our passage means protecting our community’s lifestyle, our economy and our future, and I’m proud to be part of a government that delivers investment to safeguard what matters most to all of us,” she said.
Coordinator-General Gerard Coggan said fast-tracking dredging was a priority to safeguard the unique environment and the local community.
“These emergency works are critical to mitigating further damage to the internationally recognised Ramsar wetland, as well as protecting property, community infrastructure, and public safety with the storm season approaching,” he said.
“We recognise the temporary disruptions these works may cause, including changes to access and increased activity in the area. We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as we work to protect and restore this unique part of Queensland’s coastline for future generations.”
The state government-led action comes after three tidal breakthroughs occurred at the northern end of the island – the first in early 2022 and the second and third this year (see Damien Lange’s video below).
The events have contributed to changed tides, shifting sands, the closure of the Caloundra Bar and erosion on the mainland.
Authorities are also considering a bold recommendation to fill the initial breakthrough, which is about 1.5km wide, and reopen the Caloundra Bar.
