Cyclone Alfred’s damage to Bribie Island of major concern to boaties

A boatie has called for ‘replenishment’ of Bribie Island and says launching from a popular Sunshine Coast beach after the second breakthrough has become more complex.

A life-long Caloundra fisherman has sounded a warning about the Bribie Island breakthrough and the complexities people face trying to launch from a popular boat ramp.

David Granville is one of the co-owners of Caloundra Fishing World and an avid fisherman.

Mr Granville sends his drone up to check the Caloundra bar and find the safest path out for his boat.

His drone footage shows the damage to Bribie Island after Cyclone Alfred, with waves breaking across what was once trees.

Mr Granville has been fishing his whole life off the Caloundra coastline.

“I’ve been out there with my dad since I could walk.”

David Granville.

He holds genuine concern for Golden Beach being affected by more severe high tides and winds without the protection of Bribie Island.

“The waves are going all the way across the island now,” Mr Granville said.

“The tree roots are all that’s holding it together but eventually the tide will win,” he said.

He thinks another channel will form where the break is currently.

Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Body spokeswoman Jen Kettleton-Butler discusses the Bribie Island breakthrough.

Before ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Body spokeswoman Jen Kettleton-Butler said the organisation was very concerned for Golden Beach.

The size of the second breakthrough is also making it difficult for boaties to launch their vessels from the Caloundra Powerboat Club ramp.

“It’s the only usable launch ramp for offshore boaters at the moment with the others being penned in,” Mr Granville said.

“It’s copping the sea coming straight across Bribie now and there’s waves breaking across the ramp.”

Mr Granville said some sort of management or replenishment of the bar may be necessary to protect Golden Beach and the community there from the ocean surf and improve safety.

A man walks amongst the erosion at the mouth of the Pumicestone Passage looking towards Bribie Island on Tuesday as Cyclone Alfred continues to approach south east Queensland. Picture Lachie Millard

“Any coastal bar should be treated with the utmost respect and crossed safely,” he said.

He said fishing offshore will be difficult as access to the open ocean is limited by the bar and the launch platforms, but there will be no effect on the actual fish behaviour.

As for inside the bay, he said “anytime there is a flow of clean ocean water, the fishing will improve”.

From a close to shore fishing perspective, “it’ll be potentially quite good,” he said.

“We had the best whiting season ever last year with that Bribie breakthrough we had.”

Originally published as Cyclone Alfred’s damage to Bribie Island of major concern to boaties