New bridge improves flood resilience

The new Tallebudgera Coplicks Footbridge is now open, improving the region’s resilience to flooding and enhancing local connectivity.

The six month project represents an investment of nearly $2 million and involved the demolition of the existing 84 year old bridge. 

Mayor Tom Tate said the upgrade would help reduce the impact of flooding on nearby residences in Tallebudgera.

“This particular area of the Gold Coast is a flood prone zone, so it is important we have infrastructure in place to improve the region’s resilience to flooding,” he said.

“The old bridge was causing the flow of the creek to be obstructed during flood events which affected properties upstream. The new structure has been built at a higher elevation to improve the flow of flood waters.

“School children, cyclists, and pedestrians will benefit from the improved safety of the approaches and the addition of cycle friendly barriers.

“It is expected around 400-500 people will use the new footbridge each week.”

The project complements a $10 million body of irrigation and drainage works undertaken last year at Coplicks Park to help the parklands recover faster after heavy rainfall.

The new 45 metre single-span steel truss bridge has an expected lifespan of 100 years and will require less ongoing maintenance costs and closures than the previous bridge. 

The City purchased the single span bridge in 2010 for deployment during emergency flood events. The bridge has been in storage for a number of years until the project provided an opportunity to relocate the bridge to a permanent location.

The original bridge, constructed in 1936, was previously owned by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and acted as the main creek crossing for vehicles travelling south into New South Wales.

Parts of the old concrete bridge were preserved and integrated into the new bridge abutment to retain some local Gold Coast heritage.

In 1997, the bridge was handed over to the City and its functionality became a pedestrian and equine bridge crossing.

ENDS