Stimulus funding spans replacement of pedestrian bridges

Two Redlands Coast pedestrian bridges will be replaced through $1.3 million in program funding.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the replacement of the Anita Street pedestrian bridge at Redland Bay and the Fellmonger Park pedestrian bridge at Ormiston, would be funded through the second phase of the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program.

Cr Williams said the 41.5m Anita Street bridge spanned Redland Bay’s Moogurrapum Creek, linking the eastern end of the street with the Pinelands Circuit Park and on to North Street.

Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards and Division 6 Councillor Julie Talty said it was an important link between their divisions for pedestrians and cyclists.

Cr Edwards said that earlier this year a supporting beam on the bridge had to be replaced.

It was decided due to the state of some of the other bearers that it would be more cost effective to do a full replacement, Cr Talty said.

Division 1 Councillor Wendy Boglary said the Fellmonger Park bridge spanned Hilliards Creek and linked Hilliards Park Drive to Old Cleveland Road East in Ormiston. A 150mm high-pressure water pipeline is suspended from the substructure of the bridge.

“It was also considered more cost effective to replace this bridge rather than doing ongoing repairs,” Cr Boglary said.

Cr Williams said work on both bridges was scheduled to start in August and continue to December, subject to weather conditions.

“These projects are part of more than $5.3 million being invested in community infrastructure in Redlands Coast under phase 2 of the LRCI program this year,” she said.

“$800,000 was allocated for the Anita Street bridge and $500,000 for the Fellmonger Park bridge.

“Issued by the Australian Government, this is stimulus funding aimed at helping councils and their communities bounce back from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is above and beyond Redland City Council’s own stimulus spending, so it is a very welcome boost to the local economy and the creation of jobs.

“Wherever possible we will be using local businesses and suppliers on these works.”

The Australian Government has committed $5.3 million to works in Redlands City under the LRCI Program Phase 2.