$20m Bribie Island project stalls as excavator gets stuck in sand
Ex-army trucks and 160 tonnes of winching power were needed to rescue a bogged excavator from Bribie Island's shoreline during wild weather.
Two ex-army trucks have been used as a part of a “160-tonne” towing force to rescue a bogged excavator on Bribie Island.
The two trucks were combined with two additional machines to “suck it up out of the hole”.
Clayton’s Towing chief executive Mike Clayton said they had 160 tonnes of winch power to recover the excavator.
The bogging was first noticed on Sunday morning by photographer Damien Lange, and, after days of preparation, recovery efforts began yesterday, October 28.
Mr Clayton said the first day was a challenge due to the adverse weather.
“Yesterday was a bit of a challenge because it was pouring rain, it was blowing a gale, and everyone was getting freezing cold,” he said.
“We got it out of there, and this morning the barge came in as close as it could to the island, and we had to drag the dead excavator across through the water, then winch it onto the barge.
“The dead excavator is loaded on the barge now.”
They plan on getting it back to Brisbane tomorrow.
Many locals have expressed scepticism about the project, saying rocks should be used to keep the sand in place.
Droner.au photographer Damien Lange said people were sceptical of the decision to use only sand.
“There’s a lot of scepticism about the decision of doing it without putting rocks with the sand to keep the sand in place,” he said.
“I think that’s where most people’s concerns are, there’s $20m of our money just going down the hole and everyone’s eager to see what’s going to happen and how they’re going to do it.”
He has been documenting the progress “so people can see what I see”.
The project was expected to be completed in November, but it has been extended until April 2026.
