Bribie Island erosion and breakthrough review

The Queensland Government is undertaking a review of the Bribie Island erosion and breakthrough events to understand the events and their impact and work towards the safety and prosperity of nearby communities.

Ongoing erosion has severely narrowed the width of the northern tip of Bribie Island, creating several weak points. In 2022, large waves cut a new channel through the weakest part of the northern tip of Bribie Island opposite Nelson Street, Golden Beach. This channel rapidly widened and became a new opening to the ocean. Soon after, the original Caloundra Bar closed over, constraining boat passage and access including for the Caloundra Coast Guard.

Further severe weather caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred in 2025 has widened the 2022 breakthrough and caused more damage, including extensive erosion to the foredune at Lions Park. This event also created a second breakthrough south of Lions Park. These events have heightened residents and business owner concerns about future risk and impacts, given the Northern tip of Bribie Island has traditionally shielded Caloundra from effects of severe weather.

The review responds to community concerns raised before, during and after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s impact on the coast.

The department appointed experts with international experience in coastal engineering, RPS, who is partnering with International Coastal Management to undertake the review.

The Queensland Government is committed to understanding the unique needs and priorities of the local community and stakeholders.

Local residents and stakeholders are encouraged to have their say throughout the review process.

Review findings

The following sections of the independent review into the Bribie Island erosion and breakthrough events are available.

Part 1: Desktop analysis

Review Part 1 presents a detailed desktop analysis of erosion and breakthrough events on northern Bribie Island, including significant changes observed in 2022 and 2025. Drawing on more than 200 historical and technical sources, including government reports, academic research and local insights, the report consolidates decades of scientific evidence to provide a clear understanding of the natural, social and policy context surrounding these events.

Read Part 1 ( 5.8 MB) of the report.

Part 2: Immediate recommendations

Review Part 2 focuses on immediate and urgent actions to reduce risks caused by recent erosion and breakthrough events. These include protecting the Passage foreshore, improving water quality and navigation safety, and restoring the area to conditions observed before ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The proposed actions are part of an interim soft-engineering works program designed to reduce immediate risks and inform future decisions.

Read Part 2 ( 4.1 MB) of the report.

Part 3: Long-term recommendations

Review Part 3 focuses on proactive, forward-looking measures that aim to enhance the long-term resilience of the coastal system. It presents a suite of suggested actions, based on robust experience and proven methodologies, that could be taken to progressively stabilise, protect and regenerate the area.

Read Part 3 ( 2.8 MB) of the report.

Next steps

These longer-term responses aimed at supporting coastal resilience are being explored further through additional community consultation, ahead of completion of the final report by the end of August 2025 . View the details below on how to have your say.

Have your say

Community consultation is integral to this project.

Feedback is now open on the long-term recommendations provided in Part 3 of the report, including recommendations to:

• Reinstate the Island/Close Breakthrough #1
• Enhance the Island and Pumicestone Passage for improved resilience
• Develop and implement long-term management pathways
• Re-assess environmental zoning and permitting.

Feedback is open via the online survey until Sunday 17 August 2025.

Consultation process so far

Round 1 of consultation was conducted via an online survey and closed in May 2025. It provided the opportunity for residents and other stakeholders to have their say. Feedback received during this round was considered in conjunction with research undertaken by RPS and ICM to guide immediate and urgent actions for Government consideration.

As part of Round 2 consultation, the department hosted a town hall event on 31 July 2025 at Caloundra RSL (19 West Terrace, Caloundra QLD 4551). This event gave attendees the opportunity to learn more about the proposed long-term solutions, understand their potential impacts, share feedback to help guide future decisions, and learn about the consultation that is now open.

View the terms of reference ( 131.8 KB) that is guiding the review and community consultation.

Engagement of dredging contractor

On 21 July 2025, the State released an Invitation for Expressions of Interest to urgently procure a Dredging Contractor to work with the State to develop and undertake emergency dredging works prior to the next storm season. The EOI period officially closed at 10:00am on 28 July 2025. An initial collaborative early contractor involvement (ECI) approach was identified as best suited for the project, with further studies and development of the dredging methodology required prior to delivery of the dredging works.

Scope of emergency works

• Close and stabilise the recent breakthroughs of northern Bribie Island resulting from Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
• Buffer the Bribie Island segment between these recent breakthroughs and the tidal entrance to the Pumicestone Passage through construction of a temporary dune barrier, extension of the island segment and/or construction of a sand bank inside the Pumicestone Passage.
• Create a temporary channel between the northern end of Pumicestone Passage and the tidal entrance (to improve water circulation and enhance water quality and navigational access).

Timeline

The Project works are currently proposed to be completed by early November 2025 to avoid the storm season. The dredging activities and program will be negotiated with the preferred Respondent during the ECI Stage. Evaluation is now underway, with appointment of the preferred contractor expected in early August 2025.