PPCMB’s Jen Kettleton-Butler reacts to Bribie Island rapid works announcement
A key figure fighting for a solution against Bribie Island’s breakthroughs has described the state government’s rapid works plans as an “historic moment”.
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A key figure in restoring Bribie Island following two breakthroughs has declared residents feel “comforted” by the state government’s announcement to take on $20m in rapid works.
On Thursday, the state government revealed four urgent works would be completed at the recommendation of independent expert consultants, RPS AAP Consulting Pty Ltd (RPS) in partnership with International Coastal Management.
The works include closing two breakthroughs on Bribie Island, building an inner sandbank at the first breakthrough, creating a temporary channel and a buffer in certain segments.
Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Body spokeswoman Jen Kettleton-Butler labelled the announcement as an “historic moment” after decades of warning past governments and council with little action in response.
She said many relieved residents of Golden Beach and Diamond Head, who were at risk due to storm surge and erosion, felt “heard and comforted” by the state government responding to concerns with urgent action to try make the waterway safe for the next storm season, as long-term solution consultations continue.
She noted the announced plans were not just about protecting homes, but also about restoring important wetland and seagrass meadows supporting marine life.
“It’s about the future of our town, our economy, our jobs, our environment and our way of life, Ms Kettleton-Butler said.
“It’s about maintaining and looking after our backyard which has been ignored and neglected for decades.
“And it’s about using the common sense coastal engineering solutions that are used all around Australia and the world to stabilise and protect our beautiful coastal community.”
Deputy premier and minister for state development, infrastructure and planning, Jarrod Bleijie, said without the immediate action further damage could present a “heightened infrastructure risk”.
“The funding will be used to pump sand into the breakthroughs, close the most recent gaps, and create ‘sacrificial dunes’ to limit the impact of future erosion activity,” Mr Bleijie said.
“Caloundra residents are rightly concerned about community impacts, and we are taking swift action to ensure they are protected.
“Without intervention, this remaining section of island may be lost entirely, potentially leading to significant further change in coastal processes and heightened infrastructure risk on The Passage foreshore.”
The “urgent works” announcement comes after Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Body spokeswoman Jen Kettleton-Butler called for the breakthrough to be plugged, labelling the state government’s review into the Pumicestone Passage and Bribie Island breakthrough as “meaningless consultation”.
The review was announced by the state government earlier this year, following the latest breakthrough to the northern tip of the island as Tropical Cyclone Alfred approached the east coast.
The first breakthrough on the island was in 2022.
Mr Bleijie announced in May the first phase of the review had been completed after the public were encouraged to make submissions regarding the outcomes they hoped to see.
Longer term solutions for Pumicestone Passage are expected to be revealed later this year when an independent review is submitted to the state government.
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Originally published as PPCMB’s Jen Kettleton-Butler reacts to Bribie Island rapid works announcement
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