New bridge a flood risk

Concerns $15m could go down the drain again

THE State Government spent $15 million repairing a bridge over the Coomera River but still hasn’t fixed upstream river banks that caused it to wash away in the first place.

There are now warnings the new bridge could also be lost to flooding, costing taxpayers millions more.

River banks upstream of John Muntz Bridge were eroding during Cyclone Debbie flooding in March, causing the northern span of the bridge to collapse.

When the Government rebuilt the bridge it indicated it would seek natural disaster recovery funds to upgrade the river banks.

At the time Annastacia Palaszczuk said the repair package “includes work on the river upstream of the John Muntz Causeway”.

But in her latest update to local MP Mark Boothman, the Premier said the Gold Coast City Council was investigating the river banks.

A council spokesman said the Government had not formally approached it about the work.

Mr Boothman said residents were furious because they knew the river bank needed to be fixed before the next storm season to prevent the bridge from failing again.

“I get the impression they’re (the Government) saying it is a council problem,” he said.

“I just want it fixed so it’s not washed away again.

“The Premier said one thing a month ago and then a month later is saying it’s the council’s issue.

“They’re duck-shoving it to someone else now.”

Oxenford Pony Club president Russell Lynch said Government departments had offered to become involved but only to sign off on permits for the council to do the work.

“No one wants to talk to anyone else,” Mr Lynch said.

“They’re not talking to each other. After the first bit of flooding it will wash away again.”

An independent consultant’s report in May warned the river would reach another flashpoint during next summer’s wet season.

The bridge provides a vital link between Oxenford and Mount Tamborine in the Gold Coast Hinterland.

“It’s a political hot potato which no one wants to deal with,” Mr Boothman said.

Ms Palaszczuk said the bridge was reopened on June 30 ahead of an early August deadline which was “a fantastic achievement”.