Bribie Island erosion and breakthrough review

Government response

The Bribie Island erosion and breakthrough review conducted by independent experts ICM and RPS has now concluded. In response, the Queensland Government has committed to responding to the impacts of the breakthroughs at Bribie Island as raised by the community and found in the review.

To enhance protection of Golden Beach and the Pumicestone Passage during the upcoming storm season, we are delivering emergency dredging works to address the southern breakthroughs and buffer Bribie Island. The Queensland Government has directed the Coordinator-General to undertake the emergency works. The works are informed by independent expert recommendations and community feedback gathered during recent consultation. Find out more Bribie Island emergency works. The long-term recommendations from the Bribie Island erosion and breakthrough review outlined in parts 3 and 4 are:

reinstating Bribie Island’s barrier function after undertaking further detailed design and planning assessment, as well as environmental assessment, to test feasibility, cost and time to delivery
enhancing Bribie Island and Pumicestone Passage for improved resilience
developing and implementing long-term management pathways
reassessing environmental zoning and permitting
retaining and continuously improving understanding of the coastal system
proactively managing, not passively protecting, the area
establishing appropriate management arrangements
developing a forward works program
leveraging the Port of Brisbane Channel Enhancement Project.

Download the full government response to long-term recommendations ( 150.5 KB).

Background

In 2025, the Queensland Government undertook 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 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 responded 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 partnered 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 were encouraged to have their say throughout the review process.

Review findings

The independent review into the Bribie Island erosion and breakthrough events has now concluded and the report is available for download.

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

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 of the report ( 5.8 MB).

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 of the report ( 4.1 MB).

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 of the report ( 2.8 MB).

Part 4: Final report

Review Part 4 explores the key natural and human systems that will shape future success, focusing on sand movement, policy frameworks, and administrative arrangements. It completes the Review by presenting new insights and an integrated summary of advice, responding comprehensively to the full Terms of Reference.

Read part 4 of the report ( 33.0 MB).

Community consultation

Round 1 of consultation was conducted for four weeks via an online survey in April and May 2025, giving residents and other stakeholders the opportunity to have their say. Feedback from this round was considered alongside technical research undertaken by RPS and ICM to guide immediate and urgent actions for government consideration.

Round 2 of consultation included a town hall event hosted by the department on 31 July 2025 at Caloundra RSL (19 West Terrace, Caloundra QLD 4551). Attendees learned more about the proposed long-term solutions, explored their potential impacts and shared feedback to help guide future decisions. An additional online survey ran for two weeks in July and August 2025, offering the community further opportunity to share their insights with the independent experts.

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Last updated: 19 Nov 2025