Bribie Island Emergency Works - Tidal Closure

International Coastal Management (ICM) supported Hall Contracting on the Bribie Island Emergency Works to develop and implement a practical tidal closure and dredging methodology in a highly dynamic coastal inlet setting. The works formed part of Queensland’s urgent first-stage response to severe erosion and breakthrough events affecting Bribie Island and the Pumicestone Passage, delivered under tight timeframes and strong public and stakeholder attention.

Project Details

• Client: Hall Contracting

• End Client: Office of the Coordinator-General, Queensland Government

• Location: Bribie Island, Queensland, Australia

• Date: 2025 to 2026

About This Project

The Challenge

Breakthrough events and rapid shoreline change created immediate risks to navigation, public safety, and the stability of the Pumicestone Passage system. The site conditions were evolving daily, with short tide windows, shifting flow paths, and changing hydraulic conditions as any closure advanced. The response needed a closure methodology that could be executed safely using available equipment, while managing environmental constraints in sensitive receiving areas. At the time of closure the main island breakthrough/opening had reached approximately 450m across, allowing significant volumes of water to rush through on each tide. This presented significant design and construction challenges under which the team required an agile approach to beat the current velocities in a cost effective and practically achievable way.

The Solution

ICM was engaged by Hall Contracting to develop a staged closure methodology aligned with realistic dredge productivity and site access. The methodology set out workable sequencing to operate within short tide windows and adapt to changing conditions. It addressed coupled hydraulic and morphological behaviour as the closure progressed, including evolving flow paths and velocities, increasing tidal pressure gradients, and the need to maintain safe and workable beach geometry throughout delivery. Environmental constraints and sensitive receiving areas were also incorporated through practical controls embedded within staging and operations, supported by on-site survey input during works to confirm progress and inform adjustments.

The emergency stage was completed to program, with closure works delivered in accordance with the agreed methodology and over 1.1 million m³ of sand moved as part of the overall first-stage package. The package was completed in March 2026, restoring navigation access and stabilising conditions, and was widely regarded as a success by State agencies and local stakeholders.

Services Provided

• Coastal engineering design support

• Dredging and tidal closure methodology development

• Staged sequencing and constructability planning (tide-window operations)

• On-site survey support during works and delivery input

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