Pumicestone Passage
The Pumicestone Passage is a narrow, shallow estuary with a meandering system of channels, sand banks and islands between Bribie Island and the mainland extending from Caloundra in the north to Deception Bay in the south.
- Erosion fact sheets
- Environmental values of Pumicestone Passage
- Pumicestone Passage booklet
- Pumicestone Passage Advisory Task Force
Erosion fact sheets
The Pumicestone Passage Advisory Task Force has developed two community fact sheets, which summarise the issues and key findings of the task force in relation to erosion on northern Bribie Island.
You can download a copy of the fact sheets, or for a hard copy contact Council on (07) 5420 8200 or email Environment Policy (Caloundra office).
Erosion on the ocean side of northern Bribie Island (PDF 1MB)
Erosion on the passage side of northern Bribie Island (PDF 847KB)
For more information contact Council on (07) 5420 8200 or email Environment Policy (Caloundra office).
Environmental values of Pumicestone Passage
The Passage is recognised locally, nationally and internationally for its significant environmental values. Its recreational opportunities also attract thousands of locals and visitors each year.
Habitats within and adjoining the passage include:
- mangroves and saltmarshes
- sand flats and mud flats
- coastal dunes
- seagrass meadows
Many aquatic and terrestrial species inhabit one or a number of these communities including significant species like turtles, dugongs and migratory birds.
Pumicestone Passage booklet
The Pumicestone Passage - Live It, Love it, Protect It! booklet has been developed to provide:
- an overview of the environmental values and recreational opportunities of the Pumicestone Passage and Bribie Island Recreation area
- potential environmental impacts
- primary contacts and relevant government jurisdictions
Download a copy of the booklet or for a hard copy contact Council on (07) 5420 8200 or email Environment Policy (Caloundra office).
Pumicestone Passage - Live It, Love it, Protect It! booklet (PDF 1.8MB)
The booklet is also available in sections to enable faster download:
Pumicestone Passage - Live It, Love it, Protect It! booklet (pages 1-13) (PDF 879kb)
Pumicestone Passage - Live It, Love it, Protect It! booklet (pages 14-27) (PDF 1.1MB)
Pumicestone Passage Advisory Task Force
Council established the Pumicestone Passage Advisory Task Force in 2006 to identify and prioritise issues impacting on the Pumicestone Passage between Bells Creek and the Caloundra bar.
The task force is made up of representatives from the community, local and state government including the State members for Caloundra and Glass House.
Priority actions
The task force identified a number of priority actions which were endorsed by Council. One of these actions was the development of the Pumicestone Passage booklet.
The progress of other actions are detailed below (current as of June 2008).
Action |
Status |
|---|---|
Undertake a survey to establish permanent markers for height datum at three sites of potential breakthrough on Bribie Island. |
Completed - 2007
|
Undertake photo monitoring and monitoring of beach profiles at three sites of potential breakthrough on Bribie Island to establish baseline data. |
On-going
|
Undertake an aerial photography survey of Pumicestone Passage. |
Completed - 2007 |
Apply for a federal grant to undertake a risk assessment of potential impact to adjacent development and foreshore infrastructure in the event of a breakthrough of Bribie Island. |
Completed - 2007 Council was successful in the state and federal grant application for funds in the 2007/2008 financial year. The Risk Assessment study is underway and is intended to be completed by mid to late 2008. |
Report regularly to the wider community on the status and findings of the Pumicestone Passage Advisory Task Force. |
On-going |
Forward a request letter to the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to identify:
|
The Queensland Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) undertook the assessment and provided an outcomes report to Council. The EPA report concluded: “The argument that erosion on the western side of Bribie Island has been caused or accelerated by the historical placement of oyster beds in the Passage and/or increased outflows from Lamerough canal forcing the main tidal channel against Bribie Island be rejected as having no basis in fact”. View the full Independent EPA report (PDF 1.47MB) |
Develop a community fact sheet on the findings of the |
Completed - July 2008 See the electronic version of fact sheet. |
Remove the oyster bed rubble piles near Monash Street, Golden Beach for public health and safety reasons. |
Completed - May 2008 |