Boambee Creek footbridge upgrade dogged by funding deadline, licence fee demand
Creepy by night and cherished by day, one of Coffs Harbour’s most famed Instagram spots faces an uncertain future. See the latest challenge to hit the footbridge.
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The fabled footbridge over Boambee Creek is on its last legs – but the community and council hope a refurbishment can still go ahead despite a number of last-minute challenges.
The bridge runs directly alongside the rail line, and it is a popular if somewhat confronting way for residents and tourists to reach the beach.
The dilapidated passage is also the link to one of Coffs Harbour’s few off-leash dog exercise areas.
City of Coffs Harbour won Commonwealth funding for a refurbishment of the footbridge, but a requirement for that money to be spent this financial year has seen other projects prioritised.
Mayor Paul Amos said the council has asked for and received an extension from the federal government to perform the work on the footbridge, now slated for the 2023-24 financial year.
The planned upgrade will extend the life of the bridge by 10 to 15 years while the city investigates future options.
But here’s the rub. As part of planning works, council advised the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) of its intention – only to receive an extraordinary demand.
In an unprecedented move, the corporation sent the council a licence agreement, requesting a fee of $25,000 for five years with an annual increase of three per cent.
Mayor Amos said: “This was surprising because, since its construction the city has borne the costs of maintenance of the footbridge and this is the first time we’ve ever been asked for a licencing fee.”
On that basis, we don’t propose to pay,” he said.
Instead, the council will ask Coffs Harbour state MP Gurmesh Singh to lobby the corporation in a bid to get the licence fee set aside.
As it is, the council has already had to pivot on the footbridge plans – diverting money to local road projects worth $960,000 that can be completed by the June 30 funding deadline.
The roads are Reid Dr, Frances St and Riding Lane in Coffs Harbour, and Lyons Rd in Bonville.
The unfortunate fact is that the footbridge is fast reaching its expiry date.
“Boambee Creek footbridge is currently at the end of its life and will need to be closed due to public safety concerns if the works are not completed in the near future,” Mr Amos said.
“It is currently costing at least $1000 a month in ongoing maintenance costs just to keep it open.”
That’s of little comfort to residents like Kerrie Fildes and Linda Proctor, who regularly use the footbridge.
“At six in the morning there are oodles and oodles of people who use it to go for a walk before work,” Ms Fildes said.
She asked the council to consider adding a light in the bridge to warn users when a train is coming.
“The whole thing rattles and shakes,” she said.
Ms Proctor said: “It’s awful. You have to put your fingers in your ears.”
Monica Moore, a regular visitor to the area from Sydney, said she hoped the footbridge could be saved because it formed part of the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk.
“I am sure there are unsavoury elements drawn here of a night but during the day it’s an important access point,” she said.
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