Gorge Road Baffle Creek Project is estimated to cost $2.7 Million, and John Clifford Way Hobble Creek is estimated to cost $1.5 Million. External funding of $1.4 Million ($700,000 for each bridge) is being provided by the Federal Government. Council is matching funding and providing further contributions for the above projects. These bridge replacement works are part of many upgrades and safety improvements to our region’s roads that Council has scheduled in 2021/22. Many of these works are fully or partly funded, enabling infrastructure improvements for our region made possible, supported by or through external funding, not ratepayer dollars.

These bridges, if not replaced, could pose potential public safety hazards. Both timber bridges have been identified as requiring replacement. If not replaced, deteriorating bridge conditions could increase risks of bridge failure, increase maintenance costs and potentially lead to lengthy, unplanned bridge/road closures. There has been lots of design and preliminary works towards improvement of these valuable community assets. By replacing these bridges, these vital assets will be able to provide long-term service to the community. In Council’s Asset Management Plan - Transport, Strategic Goal 6 - Smart Asset Management, highlights Council’s commitment towards an Asset sustainability ratio >90 per cent. This includes aims to renew all critical service infrastructure before it becomes unserviceable and progressively replacing aged timber bridges.

The scheduled works will proceed as planned to ensure the community has safe and reliable bridge access in the long term. The replacement aligns with Council’s Asset Management Plan -Transport - Strategic Goal 6 - SMART Asset Management, where Council is progressively replacing aged timber bridges. The Level 2 Condition Assessment Reports for both Gorge Road – Baffle Creek Crossing and John Clifford Way - Hobble Creek Crossing can be found on the project page on Conversations under the ‘document’ section.

It is difficult to get environmental approvals for bypass roads. As an existing road does provide an alternative route, this will be used as a detour.

Yes. Clarkes Road will be graded and maintained during the construction of John Clifford Way - Hobble Creek Bridge. Motorists are advised to drive to road conditions, be mindful of increased traffic on Clarkes Road and be aware of the possibility of cattle on or near the road.

To minimise impact of construction to the community, Council will use a pre-engineered solution for the bridges to enable faster construction on site. Items that typically take longer to construct, eg the bridge deck, will be manufactured off site. The pre-fabricated bridge deck will also be able to be used by traffic immediately following construction completion. State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA)/Department of Agriculture and Fisheries asked to remove existing abutments for both bridges to comply with the requirement under the Planning Act 2016 and the Fisheries Act 1994; ie, the proposed bridge structure does not constitute a water way barrier for fish passage.

The existing timber bridge does not meet the current Australian Standard AS5100 for loading. The new concrete bridge has been designed to meet the loading requirements of the Australian Standard AS5100. The load requirements will also benefit local farmers. Over the years Council has received many customer requests for an increased bridge load to assist local producers to transport stock.

Gladstone Regional Council is continually learning from its engagement projects and endeavours to consult with the community in the early stage of projects. Preparations for the Lowmead Bridge Replacement Project commenced in late 2018 with the commissioning of Environment Assessments of both sites at Hobble and Baffle Creeks. The Report was tabled in December 2018. Community consultation followed and in early February Council sought Letters of Support for the proposed bridges, with eight letters received from various landholders and businesses in the area. Council subsequently sought Federal Government Funding in Round 4 of the Bridge Renewal Program.

Clause 4.2 of the Funding Guidelines states:

• Due to the high volume of proposals received under an earlier round of the Program, Round Four is limited to bridge replacement projects that seek to replace up to two existing timber bridges with new bridges; and
• The new concrete structure being either a bridge or culverts in structure.

Subsequent to receipt of the funding, tenders were released and received for the Design of Bridges fulfilling the above Funding Criteria, and as advised construction works are now due to commence at the Hobble Creek Bridge site on 17 March 2022. Council would like to thank all community members who attended Lowmead Bridge Replacement information sessions to ask questions and provide feedback. This has been valuable for building relationships with the community of Lowmead.

No. The new bridges will be single lane only but a little wider than the timber bridges being replaced. Dual lane was not an option in funding considerations and there is no budget to make these bridges dual lane. The new bridges will be 4.5m wide.

No. In line with funding guidelines, the new bridges will be installed at the same height as the existing bridges. Safety of the bridge was top priority and there was a business case undertaken for raising the height of the bridge, however this was not a viable outcome.

The bridges were inspected, and the level 2 inspection report recorded the bridges to be in a poor to very poor condition rating. Other constraints are the use of the current alignment and construction methods.

Emergency Services have been contacted and asked to consider longer travel times to access areas.

In an emergency, residents should call Police, Fire, or Ambulance for assistance as early as possible. The need for emergency service access through John Clifford Way was requested during consultation with emergency services. The contractor will provide access keys to Council’s Disaster Response Specialist to assign. This will provide emergency services access outside of construction hours and will be only for emergency use.

Council has purchased a defibrillator for community use during the construction period. Council has reached out to the community to discuss the best location for this.

A defibrillator will be located at:

• 1060 John Clifford Way - when John Clifford Way - Hobble Creek Crossing is closed.
• 484 Gorge Road - when Gorge Road - Baffle Creek Crossing is closed.

On completion of the Lowmead Bridges Replacement project, this defibrillator will then be made available across our region where other timber bridge replacement work is planned.

A project team met in January to focus on the work to return this culvert to a safe standard. Repair work started on Saturday 19 March with a side-track established nearby for emergency service use only. Emergency service drivers will need to use extreme caution using the side-track as water may continually interrupt passage.

Urgent roadway repairs are expected to take about two weeks with the culvert expected to reopen on 2 April, weather permitting. These remediation works may not necessarily be a permanent fix but will return the culvert to a safe standard for the foreseeable future.

Work will involve complete excavation of the middle section of the culvert so the steel pipes can be removed and replaced with reinforced concrete pipes. Surrounds will then be built up with work on batter stabilisation and roadway reconstruction.

After repairs, the culvert will sustain light and heavy vehicles.

While it would be ideal to have Granite Creek culvert operational again before either of the Lowmead bridges close for replacement, this timing is unlikely. It will take considerable time and effort to complete remediation works and due to the nature of construction projects and unforeseen delays, planned works may be subject to change. At this stage, the culvert is expected to be back in use slightly after John Clifford Way - Hobble Creek Crossing is closed for the start of bridge replacement works.

The extent of the damage has been condition assessed and monitored with the defect recorded for repair consideration in May 2020. Remediation work will start soon.

A 60km/h advisory speed sign is in place on the approach to the bridge. Unlike sealed roads, permanent speed limit signs are not used on unsealed roads with motorists strongly encouraged to drive to suit conditions.

As on all unsealed roads, motorists are strongly encouraged to drive safely and carefully, while always factoring in road and weather conditions.

Community concerns about this intersection have been forwarded to the Department of Transport and Main Roads for review. As this is a TMR asset, any action now rests with TMR.

Council has been in contact with TransLink in regard to a bus stop being added to the current bus route after construction of the bridge.

Council has been made aware of this concern raised by the community. Efforts are being made by Council to continually improve procedures and policies to prevent this happening in the future.

Council has created a page on its digital engagement platform Conversations to provide timely project communication with Lowmead stakeholders. To stay up-to-date with project developments and ask questions visit https://conversations.gladstone.qld.gov.au/gladstone-region-bridges-replacement/lowmead-bridges-works To receive regular updates, click the ‘+Follow’ button at the top of the project page to receive notifications.

Project update information sheets will be made available within the community. Council’s Out and About Library Service to Lowmead/Wartburg/Rosedale will also have information sheets available.

Customer Service case managers have been assigned to this project to assist with any community enquiries. Phone Council on 4970 0700. Email info@gladstone.qld.gov.au Residents who have registered to receive updates via Council’s digital online platform, Conversations can also ask questions online.

A. External funding of $1.4 million ($700,000 for each bridge) is being provided by the Federal Government. Council is matching funding for this project. These bridge replacement works are part of many upgrades and safety improvements to our region’s roads that Council has scheduled in 2021/22. Many of these works are fully or partly funded, enabling infrastructure improvements for our region made possible, supported by or through external funding, not ratepayer dollars.

A. These bridges, if not replaced, could pose potential public safety hazards. Both timber bridges have been identified as requiring replacement. If not replaced, deteriorating bridge conditions could increase risks of bridge failure, increase maintenance costs and potentially lead to lengthy, unplanned bridge/road closures. There has been lots of design and preliminary works towards improvement of these valuable community assets. By replacing these bridges, these vital assets will be able to provide long-term service to the community.

A. In response to community concerns, the approach to bridge replacement has been adjusted so bridges will be worked on one at a time, enabling one bridge to remain open while the other is closed and worked on.

A. Yes. An alternative traffic route will need to be taken when work is undertaken.

• Clarkes Road will be the detour for John Clifford Way - Hobble Creek Crossing;
• Gorge Road - Baffle Creek Crossing - Gorge Road will be closed for the duration of the bridge works and traffic will need to detour via Tableland Road and Lowmead Road via Berajondo.

A. VEC Civil Engineering Pty Ltd has an office in Gladstone.

A. Council does not have the in-house construction crew that can build bridges as this is specialised work, so we have had to outsource the construction of the bridge to external contractors.

A. There are various works involved with replacement of the bridges including the closure of the bridge, demolition and removal of existing bridge, installation of new bridge, construction and installation of new bridge approach. Each of these project components will take time to complete.

A. To meet current funding requirements these works need to be completed by mid-July 2022. Time has been allowed to inform the community of upcoming works with consideration given to school term dates.

A. Council is aware that this was a common request of community members however a project cost analysis has identified that this is not a financially viable option. Council has investigated options however nearby terrain is not suited for creation of a side-track.

A. No. The new bridges will be single lane only but a little wider than the timber bridges being replaced. Dual lane was not an option in funding considerations and there is no budget to make these bridges dual lane.

A. No. The new bridges will be installed at the same height as the existing bridges. Safety of the bridge was top priority and there was not a viable business case for raising the height of the bridge.

A. The Contractor will work to limit heavy vehicle movements between 7.30am to 9am and 2pm to 3.30pm. Gorge Road - Baffle Creek Crossing will be closed to traffic from mid-May to mid-July 2022, subject to weather, with Tableland Rd/Lowmead Rd as the proposed route to the school for properties north of the Baffle Creek Crossing. Please allow for up to 25 minutes additional travel time to get to the Lowmead State School if you are a resident living north of the Baffle Creek Crossing.

A. Two drop-in sessions have been organised in Lowmead and Rosedale on 8 February and 10 February. A Community Information Session will be held in Lowmead on 10 February. Construction of the bridges will occur one after another, in order to minimise impacts of construction on the community.

A. The construction phase is expected to bring external financial benefits for the community. About a dozen contractors will be staying in the local area for up to 17 weeks requiring accommodation, meals and spending dollars within the community. The bridge construction will provide opportunities to local businesses such as plant hire, concrete supply, quarry etc.

A. Emergency Services are asked to consider longer travel times to access areas.

In an emergency, residents should call Police, Fire, or Ambulance for assistance as early as possible.

A. No.

A. Council is not automatically liable for financial or property loss from planned works and Council recommends that business owners first explore options under their own business interruption insurance policy. For Council to consider a claim for financial or property loss, it is the responsibility of the claimant to provide evidence substantiating the loss as well as evidence that shows that Council has breached a duty of care, to take precautions against a risk of harm or loss (and is otherwise liable) under Section 9 of the Civil Liability Act 2003. Claims can be submitted to Council via our website and will be forwarded to our insurer, Local Government Mutual Liability, for independent assessment.

More details at https://www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/public-liability

A. Council has created a page on its digital engagement platform Conversations to provide timely project communication with Lowmead stakeholders. Register your interest to access the page by emailing engagement@gladstone.qld.gov.au to stay up-to-date with project developments and ask questions.

A. Project update information sheets will be made available within the community. Council’s Out and About Library Service to Lowmead/Wartburg/Rosedale will have information sheets available.

A. Customer Service case managers have been assigned to this project to assist with any community enquiries. Phone Council on 4970 0700. Email info@gladstone.qld.gov.au Residents who have registered to receive updates via Council’s digital online platform, Conversations can also ask questions online.