Who to contact

Marine Safety Queensland (MSQ) is responsible for improving maritime safety for recreational craft. In natural (non-dredged) waterways, such as the Pumicestone Passage, MSQ may place navigation aids to mark the best available water and issue notices to mariners via its website.

Advice from MSQ is that they have been conducting surveys of the Passage since the breakthrough, continuing to see significant sand movement. Given the changing nature of the Passage in trying to re-establish itself, particularly with the change in wave climate coming out of winter (moving more southeasterly), any works such as dredging have a very high risk of having all benefits being lost in a very short time. Due to this, MSQ has recommended no works should be undertaken until a clear outcome is known, however in hand with the Department of Environment and Science, they will continue to monitor the changes using aerial photography, satellite Imagery, and hydrographic surveys. 

There are a few potential outcomes with respect to the short and long-term changes that could happen in the passage and the old northern entrance. These will greatly influence the waterway access in the passage and whether a deeper channel will form and stay open connecting north and south. MSQ has and will continue to adjust the position of navigation aids to maximise safety for the boating public.

Proposals for dredging for navigable access or maintenance of existing dredged channels can be directed to MSQ via its [email protected] mailbox.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife (QPWS), a business unit of Department of Environment and Science (DES), manages the marine park (the water) and the recreational area (the land) of Bribie Island.

The northern tip of Bribie Island (the land) is included in the Bribie Island national park and recreational area, and is managed under the Recreation Areas Management Act 2006 and Nature Conservation Act 1992 for the purposes of nature conservation and nature-based recreation.

Moreton Bay marine park covers most of the bay’s tidal works, including many estuaries, and the landward boundary is generally the line of the highest astronomical tides (HAT). QPWS are responsible for the day-to-day management of the marine park which is divided into zones to allow a range of recreational and commercial activities to occur while setting aside some areas for higher protection. More information can be found on the DES website.

The breakthrough which occurred due to king tides, combined with large swells generated by ex-tropical cyclone Seth, was a naturally occurring event in a dynamic coastal environment.

Council has been advised that DES has commissioned a study (expected to be completed by November 2022) into the causes of erosion on northern Bribie Island, in response to community concerns that the erosion may have been caused by human activity with results being made available to the community once complete.

Changes to water flows and sand bank positions is part of the natural character of Pumicestone Passage and with these changes some areas will have improved recreational value, but some areas will decrease. These changes have been occurring in the Passage over several decades, however DES recognises that the recent changes have occurred rapidly since the erosion caused a tidal breakthrough at northern Bribie Island. However, as in the past, the community may need to adjust to this ongoing change in water flows and sand bank positions.

Council is responsible for:

• planning for the future impacts of climate change through the CHAS
• following the Bribie Island breakthrough plan to manage the risk of shoreline erosion and coastal inundation to the public council owned areas
• beaches along Golden Beach
• stormwater outlets
• parks
• Lamerough Canal and Pelican Waters Lake
• a flood event in a public place.

Council’s focus is to protect foreshores and the area behind the foreshore, such as park and road reserves, from erosion. As per council’s environment and liveability strategy, council does not protect private properties or private structures from erosion impacts.

Council’s dredging program at Golden Beach is usually completed twice each year, before and after the storm season. The beaches that get sand depends on many factors such as recent survey data, site inspections, seagrass/marine plant locations and availability of clean sand.

For coastal erosion issues along the Golden Beach foreshore, please email [email protected].

It is a council responsibility to respond and manage stormwater network impacts. It is important the community report blockages of stormwater infrastructure. This may be blocked inlet grates in the street or sand covering stormwater outlets. This can be done through MyCouncil or by contacting council.

Currently Jellicoe Street foreshore park (at Onslow St), Monash park and several other low foreshore sections through to Diamond Head are being affected by sand accretion and salt build up. This includes the areas adjacent to the naval sea cadets and sections of Keith Hill park. Council actively removes sea woody/vegetative debris in parks, however removing sand build up is not currently viable due to the amount of high and king tides. Trees are being monitored for signs of ill-health decline due to salt water.

Approximately 500m2 of Monash park has been lost due to the sand moving near the foreshore and mangroves. Park seats and tables will be repositioned as needed for safety and comfort. Council is regularly monitoring the coastal pathway for signs of damage.

Lamerough Canal and Pelican Waters Lake is managed by the council, and any issues with navigation or cleanliness should be directed to [email protected].

Pontoons in either Lamerough Canal or Pelican Waters are private structures and maintenance of a private structure is the responsibility of the owner. As the tidal heights have changed since the breakthrough it is important for owners to keep an eye on these structures during different tide heights to check it’s still working correctly. More information about maintaining private structures can be found on the canals, lakes and locks page.

It is the Queensland Government’s responsibility to determine the new high tide level in the Pumicestone Passage.

In the months since the breakthrough, tidal monitoring in the Pumicestone Passage has shown an increase of 200–300mm in the level of the highest astronomical tide (HAT).

These indicative levels are slightly lower that the levels used to develop for our existing flood mapping scenarios use for emergency preparedness purposes and available on Disaster Hub. Therefore, although slightly higher, the maps on Disaster Hub are indicative of the inundation we expect if a storm tide event like ex-tropical cyclone Seth were occur this storm season.

These maps also demonstrate that if such an event was to occur now, flooding of private lots would be limited.

Council will investigate options for other temporary flooding protection measures along the coastal foreshore, recognising that we need to be prepared for potential events. The installation of temporary coastal protection measures would need to consider factors such as logistics of installation, safety issues and potential exacerbation of erosion or flooding.

As the warmer months approach, we recommend residents check our online emergency preparedness mapping.

Ahead of a forecast wetter-than-average spring, Sunshine Coast residents and business owners are urged to have an emergency plan in place, pack their emergency and evacuation kits and make sure their insurance has adequate coverage and is up to date.

Those 3 simple steps will help to ensure households and businesses are prepared for severe weather events.

Residents are encouraged to look at the locations where they live, work, or where friends and family members may go to school. Look at how flooding affects the routes often travelled. It’s important to have a backup plan or know the alternative routes you can take.

Think about how your property might be affected by different flood events. Consider any changes you might need to make to prepare for flooding now or in the future and increase your own resilience.

Visit council’s Disaster Hub to find the latest flood mapping, updates, practical resources and what to do before, during and after an emergency.

During the previous financial year, the Bulcock lifeguards was involved in four rescues in the area and advice from SLSQ is that it’s a very low number. 

SLSQ also stated that there have been no reports from lifeguards of any difficulties performing rescues or any other issues regarding silting from that location.

The TS onslow site near to Frazer park is held under lease by the naval cadets. As per council’s environment and liveability strategy, the protection of this property resides with the manager/owner being the naval cadets.

Council has been advised that TS onslow naval cadets are currently in the process of working through a competitive grants program with a view to securing government funding to restore their boat ramp and parade ground, while also trying to stabilise some of the surrounding foreshore erosion.

Council’s dredging program cannot renourish sand at this location because the unapproved concrete blocks and the presence of marine plants (mangroves salt couch and she-oaks).

Council has been on site, helping to make it safe and have put warning signage up. As this is Queensland Government land, council will continue to offer support and guidance as necessary.

Australian Volunteer Coast Guard is a marine search and rescue organisation comprised of volunteers. 

The range of services offered includes marine search and rescue, offshore vessel tracking, public education and marine radio monitoring. Currently the Caloundra Coast Guard is experiencing difficulty accessing the shifting channels the breakthrough has created.