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
September 2025
Council is progressing with the design of the Sooning Street bridge in close collaboration with the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA). Council, contractors, and SARA have met three times as part of the pre-lodgement process. On 1 May 2025, SARA confirmed that the preferred design is a two-span bridge. During these initial discussions, SARA raised concerns regarding flood flow, fish movement, the existing water main, and rock protection.
On 30 June 2025, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) agreed to provide pre-lodgement advice for the bridge development application. SARA also confirmed that they would soon issue pre-lodgement advice to help progress the bridge development application.
On 4 July 2025, Council and SARA met to refine the fish passage design and outline the next steps for the development application. Final advice will be provided after DPI reviews the plans. Aligning the design with the State Development Assessment Provisions (SDAP) will simplify the referral process.
Following these three meetings, Council received ‘in-principle’ approval in mid-July to proceed with the detailed design. Since then, SARA has indicated that the design meets their required guidelines. Council will continue to work closely with SARA representatives on this project. Once SARA grants final approval, we will share the details with residents.
Council understands the significance of this connection for daily travel, local businesses, and emergency access, and remains fully committed to restoring the bridge as quickly and safely as possible.
July 2025
Council is working with the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) to gain approvals for the bridge construction. Once we receive SARA approval, we will provide an update on construction timelines.
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)
- Gustav Creek Structure Restoration Work - Concept Plan (PDF, 4.7 MB)
Media Releases
Funding Acknowledgement
Assistance provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
