Bribie Island breakthrough: $25m rescue plan announced for coastline

Queensland has pledged $25m to protect Bribie Island's coastline as emergency dredging works move 370,000 cubic metres of sand to repair storm damage.

A group inspects the emergency works on Bribie Island that has closed a breakthrough created by severe weather earlier this year. Picture: Jen Kettleton-Butler

As major dredging works continue on a well-known Queensland barrier island, the state government has announced a $25m spend in efforts to protect a much-loved coastline.

The deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie announced the funding while inspecting emergency works on Bribie Island this morning, November 19.

The state government had already committed $20m to the dredging works after weather caused by ex-tropical cyclones Alfred and Seth caused breakthroughs on the island, exposing Golden Beach and Diamond Head residents and their homes earlier this year.

Mr Bleijie said the findings in the final Bribie Island Erosion and Breakthrough Review found the long-term major works required to fix this passage required complex and detailed planning.

The latest funding announcement follows the closure of breakthrough two on the island with around-the-clock dredging moving more than 370,000 cubic metres of sand, as part of the government’s emergency works being delivered ahead of the storm season.

More than 370,000 cubic metres of sand, as part of the government’s emergency works being delivered ahead of the storm season. Picture: Jen Kettleton-Butler

A second dredge is set to arrive in the passage within the next month as emergency works continue, with efforts concentrated on closing breakthrough three and reinforcing dune protection.

Volunteer Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Body spokeswoman Jen Kettleton-Butler said she had tears in her eyes as she walked over the sand that was shifted on the island as part of the emergency works.

The state government has committed more funding to address the Bribie Island breakthroughs. Picture Queensland Government

She said the “tide had turned just in the nick of time” for Caloundra and that Golden Beach and Diamond Head residents were relieved.

“This is not just a small amount of sand,” she said.

“It’s contoured to 5m above the highest astronomical tide.

“It’s a wider, thicker, higher pile of sand than it has been for decades.”

Volunteer Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Body spokeswoman Jen Kettleton-Butler says the tide has turned ‘just in the nick of time’ for Caloundra. Picture: Jen Kettleton-Butler

Her family has fished in the water around the island for four generations and she said her hat was off to the state government for acting after inheriting a problem caused by decades of inaction or “passive management” by political parties of all colours.

She said it was good to hear the deputy premier recommit to building back Bribie and reopening the old Caloundra bar.

“I was able to stand on that worksite today and appreciate how much sand has been dredged in that period of time,” Ms Kettleton-Butler said.

“We’re talking millions (in funding) to save billions.”

The latest funding will enable the Coordinator-General to begin the progression of long-term recommendations including detailed planning, investigations and environmental studies to support the application for environmental approvals under the Australian Government for further capital works.

Mr Bleijie said the government had acted swiftly to implement emergency measures and was committed to long-term action to safeguard this vital coastal system.