Surf Life Saving Queensland Magazine
A Case Study – How a Cyclone and Bribie Island Impacted Lifesavers and Lifeguards at Caloundra
A major government study completed in 2009 identified the “threats” to the Pumicestone Passage, Golden Beach and Pelican Waters on the Sunshine Coast and outlined a range of “treatment options” in the event of a Bribie Island tidal breakthrough. The study’s predictions, which forecast a breakthrough within 20 to 30 years, became a reality sooner than expected when in 2022 Cyclone Seth created king tides and big seas the forced open a new channel 2km from the fragile northern tip of the island.
This shifting and movement of sand from one area saw the emergence of a stunning beach in the Happy Valley area of Caloundra. While this latest beach area is a direct result of the Bribie Island break up, if we look further back in time we can see that movement of sand has happened before. Delving into the history books, this beach isn’t “new”, in fact locals explain that in the 1970s and early ‘80s there was a big enough sand build-up to host fairs.
This just goes to show – our beaches are always living and breathing.
18
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online