Fears bridge will fail again

THE Gold Coast City Council fears a hinterland bridge reopened after $15 million in repairs might not only fail again in the next cyclone but the structure itself could be causing river bank erosion

Councillors have asked city CEO Dale Dickson to write to Transport Minister Mark Bailey to find out if engineering studies were undertaken before the bridge, damaged by ex-Cyclone Debbie in 2017, was repaired.

The council and the State government are on a collision course about the future of the John Muntz Bridge, which is a critical link between the Gold Coast and Mt Tamborine.

The Newman government built the bridge to replace a causeway on the Coomera River at Oxenford. The Palaszczuk government repaired it, but serious questions are being asked about whether the new link will survive the next cyclone season.

Area councillor William Owen-Jones got the backing of all councillors to request Mr Dickson ask Mr Bailey for any hydraulic reports undertaken before work began on fixing the bridge after Debbie “blew out a panel”.

The road connection to the bridge’s western side was eroded by floodwaters along with up to 20m of council land which had been home to the relocated Oxenford Pony Club.

Cr Owen-Jones said many people relied on that road.

Theodore MP Mark Boothman, when asked if any “erosion controls” had been placed on the river, posted on Facebook that “unfortunately there has been no change”.

“The State government blames the council as the erosion has incurred on council land. As we all know, if and when we have another major flood event, the state controlled road will be placed in jeopardy,” he posted.

Cr Owen-Jones is concerned about the cost shift to council, reminding councillors about “the incredible cost” of protecting “two to three metres of very soft alluvial soil which will continue to go down the river”.

Finding a solution was “complicated” because if the bridge design resulted in increased water flow and erosion, reinforcing the northern bank could direct flood waters to the southern side where there was a state road.

Councillors have discussed possible bridge solutions in closed sessions where they were told it could involve a “considerable amount of money”.

Mayor Tom Tate asked if the pony club was in danger and admitted one possibility was to explore a better site.

“Let’s see what the minister has to say,” he said.

“The best outcome is they decide to defend the bank themselves, their asset.

“This (the bridge) is their asset. They should defend their asset.

That should be our position.”