Temporary bridge at Ollera Creek not open for public access, police warn

Police have warned the temporary bridge is not open to the public as emergency services conduct their first trips over to deliver essential supplies through to residents stranded by flood waters.

Ollera Creek where the Australian Defence Force is delivering a temporary bridge structure to support rescue efforts. Picture: Evan Morgan

Police have set up strict checkpoints to restrict public access to Ingham from Townsville as the temporary bridge built by the army begins allowing supplies through to stranded residents.

With the Bruce Highway cut off between Townsville and Ingham, police have set up a major checkpoint at Rollingstone, warning drivers that the road is strictly off-limits while emergency operations take priority.

A temporary single lane bridge built by army personnel from the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment (3CER) was completed on Thursday over Ollera Creek, which will provide a lifeline to flood-hit Ingham.

District Disaster Coordinator Chief Superintendent Graeme Paine said only emergency vehicles and supply trucks will be granted access, with police closely monitoring all traffic.

“At this stage, our plan is that we will have a police checkpoint near the truck pads of Rollingstone,” he said.

Ollera Creek where the Australian Defence Force is delivering a temporary bridge structure to support rescue efforts. Picture: Evan Morgan

“It is incredibly important that the public understand that the highway remains closed to the public.”

With military trucks, emergency vehicles, and escorted convoys moving supplies into the flood zone, police are warning motorists to avoid the area near the Rollingstone checkpoint.

Flood impacted residents are able to use the service of a small bus running along the nearby rail bridge, which is also police managed.

Queensland Police said ‘anyone using this service will need to make their own arrangements from the other side of the bridge into Ingham.”

Ollera Creek where the Australian Defence Force is delivering a temporary bridge structure to support rescue efforts. Picture: Evan Morgan

“No one is to walk across the bridge without police approval and vehicles will not be permitted to park near the bridge.”

“Residents are advised that the opening of the bridge is not an opportunity for sightseeing in flood affected communities but is strictly for emergency personnel, while the rail bridge bus can be used by flood impacted residents with the approval of police on site.”

Chief Supt Paine warned that once floodwaters drop north of Ingham, cops could roll out more highway checkpoints to keep control of access.

He said it’s hard to say how long the checkpoints will stay in place, warning it all hinges on what the weather does next.

SES members deploy to Ingham State Emergency Service members have deployed to Ingham to provide support to flood affected residents. Video: SES

“It’s very hard to forecast because there are so many variables that impact things we commit that we will certainly work with our stakeholders to try and get the bridge developed to a point where we can access it,” he said.

It comes as State Emergency Service (SES) crews have been deployed to Ingham to assist flood victims trapped by rising waters.

More than 35 SES volunteers are already on the ground, conducting welfare checks, cleaning up debris, and delivering supplies, with more reinforcements on the way.

Originally published as Temporary bridge at Ollera Creek not open for public access, police warn