Emergency work finishes on Bribie

Emergency restoration to protect the Bribie Island and Pumicestone Passage coastal system has been completed ahead of schedule.

Dredging finished last week ensuring safer and more reliable conditions in the passage and improved access for vessels and boaties at Golden Beach, Caloundra.

The work has replenished the beach to provide a buffer against erosion, deepened the channel and improved tidal exchange at the Pumicestone Passage entrance.

Caloundra Coast Guard has also returned to its permanent home at Bulcock Beach.

It follows the successful closure of two Bribie Island breakthroughs south of the entrance, Breakthroughs 2 and 3, in November last year.

Since then, Hall Contracting has dredged more than 1.1 million cubic metres of sand to close the breakthroughs, reinforce the coastline and deepen the internal northern channel.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the passage had been left to “deteriorate year after year.”

“We’re getting on with the job of restoring safer access now and committing to long-term protection for Bribie Island and the Pumicestone Passage.

“These works are improving access and conditions for boaties and supporting better water circulation and water quality in the passage - important immediate benefits while we develop the long-term protections this system needs.

“The final stage is to stabilise the newly-constructed erosion barrier with sand fencing and vegetation, so it can perform over the long term and help build resilience along the coastline.

Queensland’s Coordinator-General, Gerard Coggan said the emergency works were successfully addressing the risk of erosion and breakthroughs.

“Following the recommendations of the independent Bribie Island Erosion and Breakthrough Expert Review, we are progressing planning and investigations to develop options, supported by engineering advice, coastal modelling, and broader economic and environment considerations, with community engagement also playing a key role,” Mr Coggan said.