Munna Creek residents protest temporary crossing near solar farm build

A temporary crossing across Munna Creek giving heavy machinery access to the nearby solar farm has raised concerns with some locals that the creek has been effectively ‘dammed’.

Downstream of temporary crossing built for Munna Creek Solar Farm near Kunst bridge on Blowers Road. Picture: Kim Ross

A temporary crossing carrying heavy machinery over the protected Munna Creek while the nearby solar farm is built has caused a stir in the community, with reports of debris build-up and a “stink of dead fish”.

There is mounting concern the crossing is banking up the creek and endangering aquatic life, seemingly contradicting the Threatened Aquatic Species Recovery plan for the Mary River, which includes Munna Creek, locals claim.

The crossing located within Fraser Coast Regional Council’s local government area has left some nearby residents “shaking their heads in disbelief at the disregard for the environmental impact” on the creek, Glen Echo resident Kim Ross said.

The Munna Creek Solar Farm project, owned by Athens-based Metlen Energy & Metals, is building a new Kunst Bridge alongside the existing one on Blowers Road, with a significantly higher weight-bearing capacity of about 200 tonnes.

The temporary crossing near Kunst Bridge on Blowers Road for the Munna Creek Solar Farm. Picture: Kim Ross.

The temporary crossing was built because Kunst Bridge did not meet the weight-bearing standards required in the farm’s construction, on-site community liaison coordinator Alec Wilson said.

The crossing, made mostly of rock and with limited channels for water to flow through, will remain until the new Kunst Bridge is completed “sometime around July or August” depending on final design approvals, Mr Wilson said.

Once the new bridge is fully functional, Kunst Bridge will be decommissioned.

“No residents have an issue or desire to stop the current project further up Blowers Road,” Mrs Ross said.

Downstream of temporary crossing built for Munna Creek Solar Farm near Kunst bridge on Blowers Road. Picture: Kim Ross

“However, we strongly disagree with the current bridgework and would like to see proof and transparency that it was formally approved through the correct channels,” she said.

“This damming will prevent crucial fish germination and spawning activities in the coming months.”

Mrs Ross said the old adage “create the problem, then offer an apology once the damage is done” could apply.

Fraser Coast Regional Council was contacted for comment.