Bribie Island breakthrough recognised as a new coastal bar

The new bar, declared yesterday, will officially become known as the Bribie Island bar, with the once entire island renamed to have a north and south island.

The new bar will also be included on Queensland’s marine charts for south-eastern waters.

According to the notice to mariners issued by the Queensland Government, the new bar was formed naturally in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Seth, which swept through the Brisbane region in late January. 

In a matter of weeks a small breach in the narrowest part of the island at the height of Cyclone Seth has cut a channel into Pumicestone Passage that is now almost 500 metres wide.

As part of the declaration that the new Bribie Island bar is a coastal bar, the waters around it are now considered dangerous.

That means wearing a life jacket while navigating the bar in a boat that is less than 4.8 metres in length is now compulsory under the state’s maritime laws.

Passed alongside the legislation declaring the new bar were changes to regulations to identify and service lifejackets.

A demonstration of just how dangerous the new bar has been is the number of disabled jet skis rescued by coast guard services after their riders fell off and could not get back on.

The breakthrough has also resulted in Maritime Safety Queensland reducing the speed limit in Pumicestone Passage between Bulcock Breach and Golden Beach from 40 knots to 20 knots.

The move came after authorities partially reopened the Brisbane River to recreational traffic after it was closed in response to debris washed down in the latest storms and floods to sweep south-east Queensland.

The open section runs from Bulimba Point to Moreton Bay with the rest of the river remaining closed for now. Boats can only travel in daylight, and boaters must wear lifejackets.