Ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred has created a second passage of water through the tip of Bribie Island.
There are fears residents on the Sunshine Coast mainland could now be hit with storm surges. The island used to act as a barrier.
Community groups are calling for a long-term solution to protect their homes and businesses. Ms Kettleton-Butler, a local, said storms could now "destroy homes, its going to destroy businesses, its going to destroy our tourism economy." She blamed "red and green tape... and [govt] kicking it into the long grass and 'too hard' basket."