Bribie Island gets $25 million protection investment
The state government is investing in long-term planning and protection of Bribie Island and Pumicestone Passage.
A $25 million investment by the state government announced this week was expected to support ongoing emergency works and long-term solutions in Caloundra and Golden Beach on Bribie Island.
The government commissioned the final Bribie Island Erosion and Breakthrough Review in April, and that report found major works were required to fix Pumicestone Passage.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie this week announced the new funding was part of a response to the review.
“For years Labor ignored the community’s concerns about erosion, but the Crisafulli Government took swift and decisive action with crews working around the clock to build a protective barrier and close Breakthrough Two ahead of the storm season,” Bleijie claimed.
The review noted the Bribie Island and Pumicestone Passage system was highly dynamic and required significant planning for long-term major works.
“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.”
This news comes after the government closed Breakthrough Two last week, so crews could dredge 370,000m3 of sand ahead of the 2025-26 storm season. A second dredge was scheduled to work at the passage within the next month as part of Breakthrough Three to reinforce dune protection.
The Bribie Island emergency works will involve the closing and stabilising of Breakthroughs Two and Three, re-nourishing the segment between the tidal entrance to Pumicestone Passage and creating a channel between the northern end of the passage and the tidal entrance. Work was expected to be completed by April 2026.
The next step will be to plan additional dredging to place large volumes of sand along the Breakthrough One shoreline to widen the beach and protect it from further erosion. The project will also deepen the northern end of the passage to enhance water circulation and quality, and allow for navigational access for mariners.
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The $25 million funding was expected to fund the coordinator-general in progressing applications for environmental approvals under the Australian Government for further capital works.
Member for Caloundra Kendall Morton said the long-term strategy would ensure Bribie Island remained a treasured natural asset for generations.
Queensland Coordinator-General Gerard Coggan said the works were an important collaborative efforts including the government, contractors, and local communities.
“These emergency works are vital in addressing immediate risks from erosion and breakthroughs, and they also lay the groundwork for the comprehensive long-term measures outlined in the review,” Coggan said.
