Pet owners and their local council are in a stand off as a controversial proposal to ban off-leash dogs at a popular beach has lead to outrage in the community.

Police are investigating an alleged assault on a beach on the Sunshine Coast that left a 60-year-old woman with broken ribs, spinal fractures, a fractured ankle, and a lacerated liver.

The state government has launched an independent inquiry into the Bribie Island breakthrough as the Sunshine Coast Council rolls out replenishment programs following ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.

As beaches across the coast cop a battering from Tropical Cyclone Alfred, an expert has revealed some areas could lose up to 40m of beach due to erosion.

It could take months or even years for the Sunshine Coast's beaches to recover from Cyclone Alfred.

More than 2500 people have signed a petition opposing Sunshine Coast Council’s proposed changes to the region’s dog exercise areas.