Gustav Creek Structure Restoration Work
| Investment | TBC |
|---|---|
| Goal | 1. A city that connects you to what you need at the time you choose |
| Strategic Purpose | Improve traffic flow, connectivity and access to essential services between suburbs on Magnetic Island. |
| Status | Planning |
Project Background
The Townsville Local Disaster Management Group (TLDMG) stood up amid heavy rainfall and localised flooding in Townsville between Thursday, 19 December, and Tuesday, 24 December, 2024.
During this weather event, the culvert structure along Sooning Street that crosses Gustav Creek in Nelly Bay sustained significant damage. The structure suffered further damage from Friday 31 January to Monday 3 February 2025, due to the tropical low that affected the North and Far North Queensland communities.
Council is working with the local Engineering and Construction companies and the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning to undertake structural assessments, review environmental constraints and approvals associated with working in and around fishways and mangroves.
These assessments and discussions will guide Council on the type of structure that we are permitted to construct. Following this, Council will prepare a preliminary design and estimate for Queensland Reconstruction Authority approval.
Project Overview
Council plans to deliver this project in stages.
- Stage One will include a preliminary concept and detailed design.
- Stage Two will include investigating and seeking funding to replace and reopen the bridge.
- Stage Three will involve construction activities to remove, replace, and reopen the bridge.
What's Next?
Council will update the Island community on the progress of our investigations, consider all community feedback, and continue to share updates as soon they become available.
Project Updates
April 2025
Townsville City Council is preparing to remove the damaged culverts that span Gustav Creek on Sooning Street in Nelly Bay. The work will involve excavators and heavy construction equipment to remove broken asphalt and debris washed downstream. Once the work site is clear, demolition of the culverts will occur.
Council plans to transport this material to the mainland via barge. Trucks will transport the material to the Magnetic Island ferry terminal, where barge services will operate to facilitate these works. The frequency of these activities will depend on barge availability.
As the work progresses, there may also be stockpiling of material on-site within the road closure area. These operations will depend highly on weather conditions like rain and high tides.
A local contractor, BMD Constructions, will deliver these works on behalf of Council.
March 2025
The Gustav Creek drainage structure, on Sooning Street, Nelly Bay sustained significant damage during the recent rainfall events. More than 2,000mm of rain has fallen in the Gustav Creek catchment since December.
Structural and environmental assessments were completed in late February, with Council staff and consultants meeting with the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning on 20 February 2025 to seek guidance on what type of structure would be acceptable under the current guidelines, acknowledging that any work in Gustav Creek is subject constraints relating to fishways and protected mangroves.
Council is currently working with consultants on preliminary design, demolition plans and delivery programs. Council’s replacement option for the structure has been submitted to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
Our teams are regularly on site and are removing debris where possible to lessen the damaged structure’s environmental impact.
We are aware that this week's high rainfalls are having an adverse effect on the road network integrity, particularly Kelly Street, which has increased traffic movements over areas that were damaged earlier this year.
Council will continue monitoring the condition of Kelly Street daily for urgent repairs until restoration of the section between Barton and Sooning Streets occurs after the wet season.
Documents
- Gustav Creek Structure Restoration Work - Detour Map (PDF, 370.6 KB)
Funding Acknowledgement
Assistance provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
