Standing on what she describes as “a postage stamp of an island,” environmental advocate Jen Kettleton-Butler surveys the devastating transformation of Bribie Island’s northern tip. The wind howls around her as she films the remnants of what was once a substantial barrier protecting mainland communities from the ocean’s fury.
Where solid ground once stood, successive cyclones have carved channels through the island, leaving behind fragmented strips of land that continue to disappear with each tide. Her mission to rescue an echidna named Eddie from this shrinking refuge becomes a metaphor for the broader challenge facing the Sunshine Coast – how to protect both wildlife and human communities as their natural defenses crumble away.
A Barrier Island Under Siege
The transformation of Bribie Island began dramatically in early 2022 when large waves associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth cut through the island’s weakest point, creating a new channel opposite Nelson Street in Golden Beach. This breakthrough rapidly widened, fundamentally altering the coastal dynamics that had protected mainland communities for generations. The original Caloundra Bar subsequently closed, constraining boat access and creating navigation challenges for emergency services, including the Coast Guard.
The situation deteriorated further in March 2025 when Tropical Cyclone Alfred struck the region, not only widening the existing breach but creating a second breakthrough south of Lions Park. The cyclone also caused extensive erosion to the foredune system, further compromising the island’s protective capacity. These successive breakthroughs have left the northern tip of Bribie Island severely fragmented, with some sections now only meters wide and vulnerable to complete disappearance during high tides.
Mainland Communities at Risk
The erosion of Bribie Island has created immediate concerns for residents of Golden Beach and Caloundra, who have traditionally relied on the island as a natural buffer against storm surges and severe weather events. Liberal National Party MP Kendall Morton, who represents the Caloundra electorate, describes the situation as “pretty scary” and notes that coastal protection was among the top three issues raised by constituents during her recent election campaign.
The breakthrough has already caused measurable changes to local conditions, with Sunshine Coast Council confirming alterations to tide heights in the Pumicestone Passage – high tides are now slightly higher, while low tides are correspondingly lower. Visual inspections have revealed erosion occurring at Golden Beach, particularly in foreshore areas north of Lamerough Canal, prompting the council to accelerate sand replenishment programs.
Community concerns center on the increased vulnerability to storm surge and inundation events, with residents fearing that without the island’s protection, severe weather could cause catastrophic flooding in densely populated coastal areas. The transformation from a small beachside town to a community of over 100,000 people has amplified these risks, as more residents and infrastructure now face potential exposure to ocean forces.
Investigating the Causes
While natural coastal processes have contributed to the island’s erosion over decades, the Queensland Government’s comprehensive review is examining both natural and human factors that may have accelerated the deterioration. A 2023 technical report identified wave erosion and channel migration within Pumicestone Passage as primary natural causes, noting that erosion had been occurring consistently since the 1940s.
However, community members and experts have raised questions about human activities that may have exacerbated the problem. These include sand extraction operations, dredging of navigation channels, vessel traffic impacts, and coastal development pressures. Retired engineer John Oxenford specifically points to the 2007 decision to open the beach to four-wheel drive vehicles, arguing that increased traffic has prevented natural dune regeneration and accelerated erosion processes.
Government Response and Future Solutions
The current Liberal National Party government has appointed international coastal engineering experts RPS and International Coastal Management to conduct a comprehensive review of the situation. The review, which received nearly 1,200 public submissions during its initial consultation phase, is examining both immediate mitigation measures and long-term solutions.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie emphasized that the review prioritizes community consultation and aims to develop “tangible solutions” for both immediate and long-term responses to the crisis. The government has committed to completing the review by August 2025, with potential engineering solutions similar to those used on the Gold Coast being considered.
As Kettleton-Butler continues her advocacy from the disappearing remnants of northern Bribie Island, her message remains clear: restoring the barrier island’s protective function is essential for the safety and prosperity of mainland communities who built their homes assuming this natural defense would remain intact.