- The Crisafulli Government has fast-tracked emergency works for the Bribie Island breakthrough.
- Queensland's Coordinator-General appointed to manage urgent works package.
- Preferred dredging contractors confirmed.
The Crisafulli Government is fast-tracking the rapid deployment of the $20 million emergency packed to implement immediate and urgent works focused on restoring the impacts of erosion and breakthrough events on Bribie Island.
The Coordinator-General will manage the roll-out of works – after being approved by Governor in Council - to restore Bribie Island's northern tip and protect the Pumicestone Passage foreshore, which includes a focus on closing the southern breakthroughs, buffering the island and dredging a temporary channel link to the northern Passage.
The works will be designed to improve water quality and marine navigation safety in the Passage ahead of the annual severe weather season.
Unlike Labor – who ignored the impacts of erosion and the Sunshine Coast community for years – the Crisafulli Government is listening to the feedback from the community and taking immediate action.
The Office of the Coordinator General has confirmed Sunshine Coast-based firm Hall Contracting Pty Ltd and RN Dredging Pty Ltd, the Australian subsidiary of global Danish dredger Rohde Nielsen A/S, are the preferred tenderers to enter into Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contracts to complete the detailed design, schedule, methodology development and management plans.
The Office of the Coordinator General has fast-tracked an Expressions of Interest process for the dredging works, which closed on July 28 with the successful dredging contractor is expected to be appointed by early August 2025, with the emergency works to begin soon after.
The emergency works were recommended by independent experts RPS Consulting, in partnership with International Coastal Management (ICM), who are reviewing the Bribie Island erosion and breakthroughs.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie, said the Crisafulli Government had responded quickly to local concerns.
"We promised Caloundra residents that we would urgently address erosion issues on Bribie Island and the impacts on Pumicestone Passage and we are delivering on that promise," Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
"After years of being ignored by Labor, these residents were rightly concerned about the impacts of erosion and without immediate intervention the remaining section of island may have been lost entirely potentially leading to significant further change in coastal processes and heightened infrastructure risk on The Passage foreshore.
"Unlike Labor, the Crisafulli Government is taking immediate action to fix the impacts on years of erosion on Bribie and the Passage.
"The 2025-26 Queensland Budget made a $20 million commitment to plan and deliver these emergency actions and respond to community concern.
"Dredging works will soon begin to start the restoration and stabilisation of the area ahead of the annual storm season."
Member for Caloundra Kendall Morton said the Crisafulli Government was getting on with the job of urgently addressing erosion issues on Bribie Island.
"The Crisafulli Government is delivering for Caloundra residents by taking swift action and fast-tracking the $20 million emergency package for Bribie Island," Ms Morton said.
"This emergency package will future proof Bribie and the Passage for years to come."
Member for Pumicestone Ariana Doolan said the review was an important step toward smarter, more resilient planning.
"Our coastline is changing, and we have to stay ahead of it," Ms Doolan said.
"This isn't just a Caloundra issue, it affects the entire Pumicestone Passage – local knowledge and strong planning will be key.
"The breakthrough shows what happen when governments fail to plan ahead.
"We need proper investment in coastal resilience before disaster hits, not after."
The Coordinator-General, Gerard Coggan, said delivery of these emergency works are a priority for his Office ahead of the upcoming storm season.
"These emergency works are designed to mitigate further damage to the local environment, including the internationally listed Ramsar wetland, ensure protection of property and community infrastructure, and improve community safety ahead of the upcoming storm season," said the Coordinator-General.
"Whilst these emergency works will be conducted within a dynamic environment, they will be conducted under a range of adaptive management plans to ensure both the protection of the environment, and that community safety is maintained during dredging."
