Govt launches inquiry into Pumicestone Passage, Bribie Island

As the state government commits to saving Bribie Island and the Pumicestone Passage, community members claim calls for action have gone unheard since the 1960s. TAKE OUR POLL.

The state government has announced an independent inquiry into the Pumicestone Passage and Bribie Island breakthrough as the community expresses their fears from the island eroding.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie announced the inquiry on Monday morning with the support of Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli.

The inquiry, supported by all levels of government, will aim to ascertain what action can be taken to preserve the island.

No budget has been announced before the inquiry results and proposal has been seen, but the deputy premier said the government would put “a chunk of money” into the essential project.

Drone shots attached of the area where water has flowed over Bribie Island and where the next breakthrough could happen. Photos: Shane T Reynolds

Mr Bleijie said the community would have their say on how the inquiry was to proceed through a public consultation.

“Unlike the former Labor government who told locals they would do nothing and for them to accept the outcome, the Crisafulli Government is taking swift action,” Mr Bleijie said.

“For too long community concerns have been ignored. This is why we will ensure this review will deliver public consultation so locals can have their say.

Caloundra MP Kendall Morton said the “significant issue” required a long-term solution.

The second Bribie Island breakthrough occurred earlier this month when ex-tropical cyclone Alfred whipped up massive swell off the Queensland coastline.

The first breakthrough that occurred to the northern tip of the island happened in 2022.

Members from the Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Body welcomed the announcement.

Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Body spokeswoman Jen Kettleton-Butler said the organisation welcomed the announcement, describing previous inaction as a “huge oversight”.

“I’d like to give a huge thank you from the community to the deputy premier for listening and a huge thank you to our local member Kendall Morton,” Ms Kettleton-Butler said.

“We’ve had politics happening around this issue since the ’60s. Caloundra residents as far back as my grandfather have been calling for action on this.

“Coastal communities around the world do very basic coastal engineering to stabilise and protect our communities. It’s about time and a huge oversight that Caloundra doesn’t have one already. “

The state government opposition has been contacted for comment.