Bowen River residents slam Ted Cunningham Bridge recovery

Residents stuck for six days after a newly opened $4.6m bridge washed away have slammed recovery efforts as the ‘dumbest thing ever’. Traffic controllers were even sent, even though there is no traffic.

Residents on the west bank of the Bowen River cut off six days after a newly opened bridge washed away in floodwaters have slammed recovery efforts as a “complete balls up”.

It comes after the $4.6m Ted Cunningham Bridge sustained significant damage last Thursday.

Bowen River Hotel owner Clare Ringland said heavy machinery has been brought to the site but no one seems clear on what they are meant to be doing with gravel trucks on standby.

“They had a 30 tonne excavator down there for three hours yesterday and it’s packed up and gone,” Ms Ringland said.

“And then they sent out traffic controllers, but what traffic are they going to control?”

Manager of the Bowen River Hotel Clare Ringland. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Whitsunday Regional Council announced it would clear the rubble to temporarily gain access to the old lower-level Ted Cunningham Bridge which would likely have a reduced load limit once reopened.

The statement posted to Facebook further outlined the damage to the now compromised bridge.

“Council is currently working with the bridge contractor on suitable options in an effort to re-gain access to the new bridge as soon and as safe as possible,” it stated.

Ted Cunningham Bridge washed away in flood waters. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Resident and farmer Jim Hillier alleged he had been left to direct the excavator that would join up the roads because of the council’s lack of direction.

“After the first excavator left they sent a second excavator out with no instructions,” Mr Hillier said.

“They sent three council blokes out in a truck and a mongrel little backhoe out here.

“They have to get the old bridge trafficable but there is no engineer, there are no bosses here to tell anybody what to do.

“So I’m sticking my neck out telling the excavator driver what to do and we still can’t get a vehicle onto the other side of the river.

“I have done a lot of jobs in my time and this is dumbest thing I have come across.”

Jim Hillier from Glenmore at Bowen River bridge: “I have done a lot of jobs in my time and this is dumbest thing I have come across.”

Mr Hillier said the council was taking a big risk leaving the community stranded.

“Thank goodness there hasn’t been a mishap over there,” he said.

“There are fellas down here with kids and if one of them had got hurt and couldn’t get to town someone in Proserpine would have got their head pulled off.”

WRC Division 4 Councillor Michelle Wright said she had visited the bridge and the council’s response “isn’t good enough.”

“I feel for the community and this is a high priority,” Ms Wright said.

“We are trying to get our machines down there to start this, but everywhere is busy at the moment.

“I’m not in charge of the operations, but I have been asking questions.

“Our main priority at this time is to push temporary access for the residents so that they continue to be connected.”

Ted Cunningham Bridge. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Burdekin MP Dale Last said he believes the old bridge will be reinstated in a matter of days adding there were questions needing answers.

“The immediate priority is and continues to be providing access for people in that area, so I want to acknowledge Whitsunday Regional Council for mobilising a response so quickly,” Mr Last said.

WRC stated works would take about three days to complete with further updates to come.