Flat Rock Creek bridge construction ridiculed by Gold Coast residents

It’s the bridge too far for frustrated Gold Coast locals – too far off, that is. Find out what’s taking so long.

Construction of a new bridge over tiny Flat Rock Creek at Currumbin is dragging into its third calendar year. Picture: Greg Stolz

It’s the bridge too far for frustrated Gold Coast locals – too far off, that is.

Construction of a new bridge over tiny Flat Rock Creek at Currumbin on the southern Glitter Strip is dragging into its third calendar year, cutting off a major thoroughfare for residents and visitors for more than twice as long as promised.

Work on the Teemangum St bridge began in December 2022 and was due for completion last August, but the opening has now been delayed until “early 2024”.

At a stated cost of $10.1 million, the 20m bridge was already coming in at $500,000 a metre, but it’s unknown if the delays have led to a cost blowout.

Construction of a new bridge over tiny Flat Rock Creek at Currumbin is dragging into its third calendar year. Picture: Greg Stolz

The prolonged closure of Teemangum St for the bridge, which has cut off access between the beachside suburbs of Currumbin and Tugun, has been blasted and ridiculed by residents.

“Is it true that the Sydney Harbour Bridge took less time to construct than the Flat Rock Creek bridge?? Asking for a friend …” one local commented on Facebook.

Southern Gold Coast councillor Gail O’Neill has described the delays – blamed on “multiple factors including labour and skilled subcontractor shortages, material supply and design challenges” – as “very disappointing”.

“But I have been assured the City is working with the contractor to get the road open as soon as possible,” she told constituents in November.

The 20m bridge was already coming in at $500,000 a metre, but it’s unknown if delays have led to a cost blowout. Picture: Greg Stolz

Craig Dick, who has operated The Village Store on Teemangum St for 34 years, said business was “the worst since we’ve seen here”.

“It’s incredibly disappointing – I don’t have one good word to say about anything to do with it or anyone involved,” he said.

“Our business has dried up but we haven’t seen the local councillor, she hasn’t set foot in here.

“We were told the road would re-open in the New Year, then January 31 and now the latest is March 1. We’re nearly there, apparently, but no one knows what’s going on.”