Calls to save the Bribie Island Bridge and turn it into a “Green Bridge” mount following community consultation on the State Government’s plans for a new bridge to enhance safety and increase traffic capacity.
TMR is currently developing a business case which will consider either a new 2-lane bridge with improved pedestrian and bike rider facilities and retaining the existing bridge or constructing a new 4-lane bridge.
Whilst previous inspections confirmed the existing bridge is structurally safe and has been properly maintained, TMR said, continued growth is increasing the demand for a new bridge.
In February 2023, a campaign was launched to save the existing 2-lane bridge which is the only link between Bribie Island and the mainland. According to the campaign proponents, the bridge could be retained as a foot and cycle bridge for the locals and visitors to use for recreation or have it greened with plants.
Locals are urged to participate in the community consultation (which closed on 27 February) and support the government’s plan for a new crossing for vehicles and to turn the old bridge into a dedicated pedestrian space.
President of the Sandstone Point Community Association John Gollan said it made sense for a pedestrian bridge to be separate from the new bridge, adding that a 6-lane bridge is probably just too expensive and an impractical alternative.
“We agree that the State Government should build a new four-lane bridge for traffic, and convert the existing bridge into a pedestrian connection with gardens, trees, and seating for our community to enjoy,” Mr Gollan said.
Sandstone Point Hotel Owner Rob Comiskey also supports a dedicated pedestrian bridge and green link from the mainland to the island. He said that it would be an invaluable investment.
“Tourists who know Bribie’s beauty come back time and time again but we definitely need something like this to put us on the map ahead of the Olympics and Paralympics,” he said.
“We cannot allow those tourism dollars to go driving past Moreton Bay to the Sunny Coast. Sandstone Point has gone from strength-to-strength since opening, but there is a clear need for a better link between here and the island. The current bridge is just too small and too unsafe, it’s passed its use-by date,” he added.
The Bribie Island Bridge was first built in 1963, Bribie Island was home to roughly 600 residents then but it has now grown to 20,612 residents who regularly commute to work and to other services across the bridge.
It can be painful, Councillor Brooke Savige (Div 1) has pointed out, when an accident shuts down the bridge, sometimes for hours at a time.
“This is not only a major inconvenience for locals but it’s a serious safety issue. The largest cohort of residents on the Island are aged between 70-74 and more than half of the population is above the age of 60, which sees the Queensland Ambulance Service averaging 17 responses to the island every day.” ” Cr Savige said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Peter Flannery said that having the bridge “… means we get the best of both worlds; a brand new four-lane bridge to service Bribie’s booming popularity and refurbish the existing bridge as a new icon for the region where people can enjoy fishing, the gardens, and a beautiful view across the Pumicestone Passage.”
“Bribie Island actually welcomes 827,000 visitors every year, which is the highest visitation for any statistical area in Moreton Bay region according to Tourism Research Australia,” he added.
“If we’re ambitious I believe the old Bribie Bridge can become an icon in contemporary landscape architecture, but first we need to save it from demolition,” he concluded.
Consultation on the concept design is also scheduled for this year whilst the completion of the business case is expected to be completed in early 2024.
Some of the feedback received from the community consultation:
“Need a second bridge 2 lanes. The old bridge should be retained for walking access bikes and fishing. I believe a premision should also be granted for the old bridge to turn into a market on weekends food vans, vendors, live music ect. Similar to eumandi markets, and eat street all wrapped into the one location but over the water I believe this would be something very special if that was to happen. Where else can you think of that has a market on a bridge,” – Jasonb88
“The need for at the very least 4 lanes and also a much improved pedestrian/bike way is absolute. Living at Sandstone Point and crossing the bridge to Bribie Island about 5 times a week we strongly feel the need for improvement. Traffic congestion particularly on weekends/holidays is horrific. Also being the only access to the island it doesn’t help emergency vehicles when they are needed (normally about 5 times per day – with sirens). If anything happens on the bridge, everyone is completely cut off.” – evalowndes
“The idea of a 4 lane bridge and keeping the original bridge for pedestriancs and a bikeway is perfect.” – Lowey
“Building a new four lane bridge would allow the existing bridge to be repurposed for pedestrians, cyclists and fisher people.” – OwenClancy
“New separate 4 -lane bridge for motor vehicles. The old bridge should become a green bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. Bribie could have sunset markets or something on the old bridge.” – mitch123456789
“I believe a new four lane vehicular bridge should be constructed whilst retaining the existing bridge which should then be repurposed as a safe space for pedestrian/s, cyclist and mobility scooter access etc. The existing bridge could then be utilised by emergency vehicles to access the island in the event of an accident restricting access via the new vehicular bridge.” – PWRDBay
“Please retain the old bridge for pedestrian and cycle recreation and emergency access. Build an additional four lane bridge for motorised traffic only.” – RodBlair
“If original bridge is viable for future use, then another 2 lane bridge. Would be good to have separate bike/walking paths (ie Eastward travelling and westward travelling, same as vehicular traffic).” – Mupin
Published 13-March-2023
