The unpredictable Pumicestone Passage has undergone another change, which could help boaties access more of the waterway.
A tidal breakthrough at Bribie Island a year ago ultimately led to a changing of the tides and created huge sand spits.
The Caloundra sand bar expanded and a new wall of sand emerged from the island across the passage to Golden Beach, essentially restricting Caloundra Coast Guard and other boaties at low tide.
But a new breakthrough, through the wall of sand in the passage, emerged late last week and Caloundra Coast Guard deputy flotilla commander Jerry Jurczak said it grew to about 100m within days.
He said it could be a blessing, but time will tell.
“It (the breakthrough) has opened up that huge sand bar that went over to Bribie and perhaps given us access to the southern end of the passage again, without having to go all over the world to get there,” he said.
“But that’s provided it stays open and it stays deep enough to get a boat through.
“One of our guys went through in a jet ski the other day and people have been canoeing through it.”
Coast Guard has essentially been hemmed in at low tide during the past year. Its large vessel has been based at a member’s house, to the south of HQ, while its secondary vessel is taken by trailer from HQ to the Caloundra Power Boat Club, to the south, when necessary. Its smaller vessel can get over the sand spits but does not have the same capabilities as the larger boats.
A small opening within the spit offered some hope months ago, but it quickly closed up. It’s hoped the new one, believed to be caused by big tides, will remain.
“Water was pouring through (last time) and we thought it might break through but within days it sanded up again,” Mr Jurczak said.
“But this new one is a fair hole … it’s got to be close to 100m.”
He said conditions can change quickly in the passage.
“This new breakthrough could open up a passage through the spit, which would be good, but would it then silt up somewhere else? It’s anyone’s guess.
“It (the passage) changes weekly.
“We tell people who are going out there to be careful because the sand banks move around. We plot channels, but a lot of water can come through very quickly.”
Bills Boat Hire co-owner Kerrie Chandler said the new breakthrough could change things in the passage but was also uncertain what the future could hold.
“People were walking (across the spit) from Golden Beach to Bribie Island, but there’s no longer an opportunity to do that,” she said.
“There’s a massive hole there now. Whether that is going to lead to more water flowing through and the Caloundra bar (to the north) opens up again, who knows.
“The water could just push more sand in and it could silt up, so it’s an unknown.
“We’ll be keeping a close eye on it. It’s dynamic and changing all the time.”
Maritime Safety Queensland has been approached for comment on the new breakthrough across the spit in the passage.
