The Sunshine Coast is set to experience the biggest king tide of the year on Christmas Day, after a tidal breakthrough formed last summer.
Beaches in the region could get a battering, especially if stormy conditions eventuate.
The Caloundra Coast Guard, along with boaties, businesses and residents around waterways, will closely monitor the conditions during the next week or so.
A high tide of 2.07m (9.31am) and low tide of 0.11m (2.42am) was expected at Caloundra on Christmas Day, while king tides will also be present on surrounding days.
The surf broke through nearby Bribie Island during last summer’s king tides, which were compounded by stormy weather, forming huge sand banks in the Pumicestone Passage.
Caloundra Coast Guard Roger Pearce hoped the conditions wouldn’t be as extreme this time.
“It’s our biggest tidal range of the year,” he said.
“And the X factor is if we have any heavy weather.
“Last year, we had an extra half-metre storm surge from Cyclone Seth.
“As long as we don’t get a storm surge and extra swell with it this time, we can cope.”
Long-range forecasts say there could be possible showers from December 24 to December 28, with possible thunderstorms on December 29 and December 30 amid winds of about 20km/hr.
Mr Pearce said there could still be impacts without extreme weather.
“Some drains around Caloundra will flood and the water will come on to the grass at the bottom of Golden Beach, at Diamond Head. We’ll also have (low level) flooding at Coast Guard, which is normal for a 2.1m tide.”
Spectacular sandy holidays
The waterway has undergone a dramatic transformation since the breakthrough, including the emergence of huge sand spits.
It’s restricted boaties, including Coast Guard, at high tide, but it’s provided some stunning settings and leisure activities at low tide.
People can walk across the passage, from Caloundra to Bribie, and from Golden Beach to Bribie.
“A lot of sand spits have developed,” Mr Pearce said.
“There are multiple sand bars and it’s very easy to walk across.
“It’s turned into a godsend for tourists because they are swimming in the little lakes that are developing.
“At low tide on Christmas Day, we will see very little water at all.”
But the looming king tides and any rough weather could cause further changes within the passage.
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King tides could flush waterway
Mr Pearce said the king tides could essentially open up the passage again.
Requests from Coast Guard for dredging were rejected in October, but there was hope the waterway would be renewed by the big tides.
“Traditionally, the king tides allow a lot more water in and then it sucks the sand back out,” he said.
“They (experts) think the sand spit at the bottom end of ‘North Bribie Island’ could be broken through with the SE swells, but I’m not sure.
“We’ll be guided by the experts.
“We’d love to see some of it open up, so we’ve got deep water access.”
