Magnetic Island residents have finally had their cries for help answered, after a critical bridge has been inaccessible for months.
The bridge across Gustav Creek at Sooning Street has been flagged for demolition by Townsville City Council early next week. It was damaged during severe weather in December, with more than 2700mm of rain falling in the area since then.
Acting Mayor Ann Maree Greany says the delay was due to waiting for approvals from the State Assessment and Referral Agency.
“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.”
“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.
“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.
