The flood-ravaged bridge across Gustav Creek at Sooning Street on Magnetic Island has been flagged for demolition by Townsville City Council early next week.
Acting Mayor and divisional councillor, Ann-Maree Greaney said she was relieved to get works underway to remove the badly damaged structure and limit any further impact on Gustav Creek.
“Both Magnetic Island residents and Council were devastated to lose the Sooning Street bridge during the severe weather event in late December last year,” Cr Greaney said.
“Since then it has been hit after hit for our region and thanks to more than 2700mm of rain falling in the Gustav Creek catchment, the damage has gotten worse and worse, so I’m pleased we can get things started to clean up the site in preparation for a new structure.”
Councillor Greaney said structural and environmental assessments were completed in late February, with Council staff and consultants working with the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and other government agencies on demolition and reconstruction of a structure that would be acceptable under the current guidelines.
“We have not simply been sitting on our hands, there are a lot of moving parts to getting these kinds of works underway, especially given any work in Gustav Creek is subject to constraints relating to fishways and protected mangroves,” Cr Greaney said.
“We were unable to commence demolition in the waterways until we had endorsement approval from the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA), which was negotiated late last week.
“Council has submitted our replacement option for the structure to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority last week and we are awaiting their approval.
“Not only will the demolition works clear the eyesore that is now falling piece by piece into Gustav Creek, but it will give us a clean slate for the contractor to get cracking as soon as we receive sign off and funding from QRA.
“It’s critical we get in, get the job done and get any debris from Gustav Creek as soon as possible, however with recent heavy rainfall and a king tide expected later in the week, the contractor (BMD) aren’t expected to be able to begin works till early next week.”
BMD Group will be completing the demolition, with works to commence on Monday 31 March, 2025, weather and conditions permitting.
All excavated materials will be returned to Townsville. Some materials will remain on site for a few days until it can be barged from the island.
For more information, visit: Gustav Creek Structure Restoration Work - Townsville City Council.
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