Southern bridge opening delayed
The opening of a long-awaited southern Gold Coast bridge – called “an absolute embarrassment” by residents – has been delayed again.
The Currumbin Teemangum St bridge replacement was due to open on Wednesday, but Gold Coast City Council said the schedule had been pushed back by rainfall.
The $10.1m project has been the subject of ongoing controversy, with work on the popular Flat Rock Creek bridge meant to finish in August but hampered by “construction shortages”.
The bridge went under construction in December 2022 to “improve road safety, increase active travel connectivity, maintain on street parking, reduce flood risk and better manage the water flow from creek to ocean”.
Thanks to delays, the eventual construction was estimated to cost $500,000 a metre.
On Wednesday, a GCCC spokesman confirmed the opening would be delayed, but did not confirm a date.
“While the street was due to reopen today, Wednesday March 6, rainfall earlier in the week caused delays to certain works such as line markings,” they said.
“Safety is our No.1 priority and it is important to driver and pedestrian safety that this work is complete before the road is reopened.”
The spokesman confirmed the construction of the bridge was finished, however, they would still be working on revegetating the area for up to two months.
“Construction delays were experienced due to labour and skilled subcontractor shortages and material supply,” they said.
Gold Coast resident Pretzel Pete shared his disappointment about the project on Facebook.
“An absolute embarrassment. A project which should have taken a month at absolute most is perilously close to taking a year.”
Gold Coaster Sue Tolan said that the construction was putting “so much more pressure” on the Gold Coast Highway.
“As the locals could just zip through to Tugun,” she commented on a Facebook post.
“But not now. Why has taken so long to finish.”
Fellow resident Tony Holden said “this has been the most unnecessary work I’ve ever seen in my 35 years on the Coast”.
“Whoever is overseeing this mess needs to go.
“The whole M1 from Tugun is taking less time.” it
One of the Gold Coast’s most popular beaches and waterways will be destroyed without a master plan protecting its future, according to residents.
Currumbin locals are organising a protest meeting on Thursday night to get a petition up for a master plan for their much-loved estuary.
The Bulletin late last month detailed an updated beach report card by the City showing Currumbin had 1,153,052 total visits in the past year, attracting surfers, longboard riders and fishing enthusiasts.
Seven local groups are planning the public meeting after becoming aware of at least 15 projects being touted for the estuary with little information known about each.
Their message is “love it or lose it” – similar to when Friends of Currumbin started campaigning to protect the estuary in 1979.
Gecko Environment Council and Friends of Currumbin have organised the meeting for 6.30pm at Palm Beach Currumbin Sports Club with the plan to kick off a petition for a master plan.
Gecko environmental advocate Lois Levy said the aim was to discuss the benefits of long term planning recognising the social, environmental and economic values of the catchment.
“Currumbin estuary is a place of exceptional beauty, loved by many and so it is important that it is protected while still being enjoyed by all,” she said.
Ms Levy said council had planned nine projects, Department of Main Roads were involved in five and Gold Coast Waterways Authority was working on its own. But detailed information about these was not being made available to residents, she added.
“The seven groups involved want to hear what locals value about the estuary and what they hope for its future,” Ms Levy said.
“So this meeting is definitely not a political meeting and no aspiring candidates for the upcoming council elections will be permitted to use the meeting for their platform.”
In June last year, after a series of Bulletin articles, a planned multimillion-dollar Currumbin Creek pedestrian bridge had its height revised in the wake of community group protests.
An overview of the projects will be presented by Friends of Currumbin president Peter Kershaw and the principles underlying the creation of a master plan by landscape architect Ged McCormick.
Residents will be asked to contribute their views on what they value about the estuary and whether they support the concept of a co-ordinated master plan.
Ms Levy said invitations to speak at the meeting have been sent to council and Gold Coast Waterways Authority. But both declined to send representatives.
“It is 45 years since locals rallied to save the north bank of Currumbin estuary from a major commercial and residential development by Lend Lease,” Ms Levy said.
“The success of that campaign has allowed countless residents and visitors to enjoy the beauty of the estuary.
“The battle cry of Friends of Currumbin ‘Love it or Lose it’ applies just as much today as it did in 1979.”