Bribie break through poses threat to Coast beach

The next high tide will determine the extent of damage done to Bribie Island’s northern tip after wild weather and swell battered the area. The public have been warned to stay away from the area.

The next hour will be crucial in protecting Pumicestone Passage and Golden beach after a 2m wide and 1m deep hole broke through Bribie island’s banks. Picture: Joel Sheppard.

The next high tide will determine the extent of damage done to Pumicestone Passage and Golden Beach after wild weather battered Bribie Island’s banks.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services said the severe weather was causing considerable issues to the northern part of the island.

QPWS today warned boaties and motorists they "should not be anywhere near the area" which was closed to the public on Saturday.

Announcing the closures, QPWS wanted the weather could create a number of environmental hazards including: "steep sand dunes, deep washouts and gutters, hidden banks, fallen trees, exposed coffee rock and large debris on exposed beaches."

QPWS crews are currently monitoring the situation and condition of the island after waves broke through the dune near Lion's Park, opposite Golden Beach. 

It comes as Caloundra Coast Guard volunteer Commander Roger Pearce said Tuesday morning’s high tide could further damage the island’s banks.

A wide hole in Bribie Island’s most northern tip. Picture: Joel Sheppard.

“There is no canal broken through at the moment, the waves are breaking over the surface,” he said.

“But there is a 2.02m tide tomorrow, so we might have another issue at 8:30am tomorrow.

“There is undoubtedly more water coming.”

He said there wasn’t much that could be done to prevent further damage.

“There is nothing we can do at this stage; I’m talking to council this afternoon they might try to sandbag.”

The council’s disaster management co-ordinator Kathy Buck said the council was still assessing the damage.

“It looks like it is just an over top, not a breakthrough, but full confirmation of that will be after the tide drops and we can make a full assessment,” she said.

Earlier: 9am

The next hour will be crucial in protecting Pumicestone Passage and Golden Beach after wild weather and swell broke through Bribie Island’s banks.

A 2m wide and 1m deep hole in the northern end of Bribie Island was spotted by a fisherman on Monday morning.

Caloundra Coast Guard Commander Roger Pearce said the swell had broken through the island.

He said the rising tide posed the biggest threat in the coming hours.

"We have another hour of swell and high tide, so it's going to get worse," he said.

"The next hour will be crucial.

Mr Pearce said the falling tide could widen the hole, cause greater erosion and endanger Golden Beach.

"In a couple hours the water will want to get out of the passage, and it will be at a higher level in the passage than on the seaside, so the water will flow back out though that hole," he said.

"It will take the least course of action and travel through that hole.

"Bells Creek and Roy's are much further down and the water from those areas is two hours after the normal tide, so once it turns around if there is a hole in the island it flows out there."

The next hour will be crucial in protecting Golden Beach after a 2m hole in the northern end of Bribie Island was spotted by a fisherman this morning. Picture: Joel Sheppard.

Mr Pearce said he and other coast guard volunteers were on their way to inspect the damage.

He said it was too dangerous to launch a vessel.

Originally published as Bribie break through poses threat to Coast beach