A different look for Bribie’s northern tip

By Sheree Hoddinett 

Dredgers digging dip and the movement of multiple layers of sand have culminated in months of emergency restoration works finally coming to an end at the northern tip of Bribie Island.  

Let’s go back a little bit to where it all started. In 2025, the Queensland Government launched a review into the Bribie Island erosion and breakthrough events to better understand their causes and impacts, while helping safeguard the future safety and prosperity of nearby communities.  

Persistent erosion had significantly reduced the width of the northern tip of Bribie Island, leaving several vulnerable areas. In 2022, heavy wave activity created a new channel through the Island’s weakest section opposite Nelson Street at Golden Beach. The breakthrough quickly expanded, forming a new ocean entrance. Shortly afterwards, the original Caloundra Bar closed over, restricting marine access and limiting passage for vessels, including the Caloundra Coast Guard. 

Further extreme weather associated with Tropical Cyclone Alfred in 2025 widened the original 2022 breakthrough and caused additional damage, including major erosion of the foredune at Lions Park. The cyclone also triggered a second breakthrough south of Lions Park. It all highlighted a growing problem and one that needed more than just a quick fix. 

Emergency works began in late September 2025 with Hall Contracting moving their equipment in to get started on quite a mammoth task.  

• In total, more than 1.1 million cubic metres of sand were dredged to close the Island breakthroughs.  

• 1.1 million cubic metres of sand is equivalent to about 73,333 school yard sand pits. This comparison is based on a standard school sand pit size of 15 cubic metres. That’s a lot of sand!! 

• An internal channel was opened between the northern end of Pumicestone Passage and the tidal entrance at breakthrough #1.  

• An extensive sand erosion buffer of about five metres high was built (see Bluey’s Photography image below). 

• Breakthroughs 2 and 3 were both closed and stabilised.   

• The completed work meant the Caloundra Coast Guard was able to return to its headquarters in Bulcock Beach, in turn significantly improving their ability to respond quickly to any marine incidents needing their attention.  

• Public access through the channel to Bulcock Beach has also been restored. 

As mentioned in previous updates, all three breakthroughs have now been closed, enhancing protection of Golden Beach and the Pumicestone Passage, improving water quality and navigation through the passage.  

Major milestones reached throughout the project 

Site established: August 29, 2025 

Dredging commenced (the Arnhem from Hall Contracting): September 27, 2025 

Breakthrough #2 successfully closed: November 13, 2025 

Breakthrough #3 successfully closed: November 28, 2025 

Second dredger deployed: November 29, 2025 

Channel Deepening campaign commenced: February 9, 2026 

Dredging works completed: March 19, 2026 

Stabilisation works: April 2026 

Woorim Park restoration: April 2026 

While the emergency works have provided immediate protection to local communities and their coastal and marine environments, investigations and early planning continue to progress considerations and recommendations of the Bribie Island Erosion and Breakthrough Review. 

Doug “Bluey” Bazley has captured all the changes and restoration stages with thanks to his trusty sidekick “Buzz”. You can check it all out via Bluey’s Photography on Facebook.