The state will begin dredging sand in Pumicestone Passage, on the southern end of the Sunshine Coast, on Sunday.
A dredging barge was moved into place earlier this week off the shore of Caloundra, with crews working to weld together a 100-metre-long pipe that will move sand onto the second and third breakthrough points on Bribie Island.
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Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said it was the first part of emergency works in the two-step state solution for the three island breakthroughs caused by ex-tropical cyclone Seth in 2022 and Cyclone Alfred this year.
“Without intervention, remaining sections of the island may be lost entirely, creating significant safety and infrastructure risks to the Caloundra community and users of Pumicestone Passage,” Bleijie said.
The two gaps were expected to be closed in November this year, although the first breakthrough – which is the widest gap, more than 1.6 kilometres wide – would remain open.
Bleijie said the dredging works and beach restorations would be “similar to what they’re doing at the Gold Coast”.
“We’re actually in the process now of procuring a second dredge to attack the other side of Bribie Island from the ocean side to give even a better barrier and protection,” he said.
“It’s not just closing the gaps, it’s actually widening Bribie Island to make sure the barrier’s there to deal with the storm season, but also future cyclonic events.”
Rehabilitation for plant life on the Island – which is both state and federally protected – were also expected to begin in November, and all construction was due to finish by the end of April next year.
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