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Understanding the Bribie Island Breakthroughs: Resources for BIEPA Members
- Apr 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 30
The recent ocean breakthrough event at the northern end of Bribie Island following Tropical Cyclone Alfred has heightened interest in an already complex situation affecting both nature, and adjacent communities.
Residents of poorly-planned suburbs built on low-lying wetlands over previous decades are concerned about the risk of inundation, and decisions made by authorities to mitigate these concerns moving forward must carefully consider the effects any actions would have on the ecological significance of the area.
Sectors of the community will see commercial potential in how significant, large-scale engineered "solutions" would open-up reliable deep-water navigation in the northern end of the passage.
From an environmental standpoint, Bribie Island is a National Park that provides nesting habitat for marine turtles, and Pumicestone Passage is a declared Marine Park and Ramsar-listed Wetland of International Significance — any engineering interventions would have impacts on natural coastal processes at these sites that form part of the state's Protected Areas Estate.
The State Government has recently announced a community consultation process to help guide their latest response to the breakthrough and the shifting sands. It is critical that members of our community participate in this consultation — and that they do so with access to clear and balanced information – and that we stand up for nature.
This round of community feedback closes on May 30 2025
The following resources are provided to assist members in understanding the situation before making a submission to this initial community consultation:
We have produced a short video showcasing 70 years of historical coastline photographs. This visual record highlights the changes to Bribie Island and surrounding areas from the mid-20th century through to today.
Department of Environment and Science (DES) Assessment
The Queensland Department of Environment and Science published an assessment of Coastal Processes and Water Quality issues in 2023, which recommended the maintenance of natural coastal processes, but suggested some specific targeted threat mitigation may need to be undertaken around existing infrastructure. The Department's 2023 Review of the Causes of Northern Bribie Island Erosion provides details of the investigation into the natural and human-caused factors at play, and which have since been amplified by the March 2025 breakthroughs. Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Sunshine Coast Regional Council has a webpage dedicated to the Bribie Island breakthrough providing information on their management activities.
TAP is a dedicated organisation working to protect Pumicestone Passage and its connected ecosystems. Their advocacy is crucial in promoting sustainable management and community-led action. Learn more about their initiatives at their website.
The Port of Brisbane has outlined long-term plans to expand its shipping channels, which may influence regional coastal processes. Understanding these broader changes is important in considering the future of Bribie Island and Pumicestone Passage.
The Queensland Government is currently seeking public input on how to respond to the breakthrough. Participating in this consultation is a vital opportunity to ensure that environmental, cultural, and community values are represented. Community input into this round of consultation is open until May 18 2025.
Please take the time to explore these resources. Your informed participation is crucial to ensuring that decisions made today protect both our communities and our precious coastal environments for the future.
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