John Muntz Bridge: Why something must be done following recent erosion

A disturbing development has locals fearing for the future of a $15m Gold Coast bridge which is a vital link for thousands of people.

IF ever there was a bridge over troubled water, this is it.

While most of the Gold Coast marvelled at the rain last week that filled tanks, dams and pools, there was one community that was worried. Very worried.

The community of people who live to the west of the John Muntz Bridge in Upper Coomera.

Last Thursday, the raging waters of the Coomera River lapped uncomfortably close to the bridge’s road surface. One resident reported the water appeared to be just half a metre below it.

A hefty chunk of council land used by the adjacent Oxenford Pony Club simply disappeared, sucked away by the torrent.

The situation evoked uncomfortable memories of ex-Cyclone Debbie in 2017, which washed away a section of the $15m bridge’s approach road, forcing the community into a lengthy detour for months and hammering local trade.

The road was repaired at huge cost to the taxpayer. But remarkably, with the surrounding riverbank continuing to erode, almost everyone appears to believe it’s only a matter of time before a similar situation arises again.

The only question is when.

A section of fencing is seen in the water after erosion of Oxenford Pony Club land last week. Picture: Mark Boothman / Facebook.

Theodore MP Mark Boothman has raised the issue repeatedly in recent years, warning of the urgent need to reinforce the riverbank at the Pony Club, which is on land owned by council.

He is frustrated that, to date, no action has been taken, with neither council or the state willing to foot the bill.

“For me, I just want it fixed,” he said. “I’m at my wits’ end about the blame game, that everybody passes the buck all the time.

“Residents feel like their importance in the system has no meaning because nobody wants to fix this.

The location of the Pony Club land which is being eroded.

“The last time it went out traffic chaos for the Oxenford and Upper Coomera area destroyed businesses.

“We had a company out there called Water Technology, they came out and did a review and report into the issue.

“They stated if you armour the riverbank and bring the riverbank back to its original channel, therefore allow the water to flow perfectly parallel to the bridge pylons, then you will not have any more problems ...

“They’ve done that previously elsewhere to great success.”

The view from the John Muntz bridge in 2017 after ex-Cyclone Debbie did its worst. Picture: Genevieve Faulkner

While non-commital on funding, a Transport and Main Roads spokesperson yesterday told this column they would be willing to work with council on the issue.

“We are happy to work collaboratively with local council to ensure any reinforcement works they require upstream (outside of the TMR’s road corridor) do not impact the John Muntz Causeway,” the spokesperson said.

But council is understandably unwilling to see millions of dollars swallowed by the choppy waters of the Coomera River – especially if the real purpose is to protect a state asset.

“It’s super easy for the state guys to say the council should do it, super easy,” local councillor William Owen-Jones said.

“... As a city we have got to work out, can it actually be done and why are we doing it? If we are doing it to defend the state’s road, that’s the state’s responsibility.”

A car crossing the John Muntz Bridge in Upper Coomera on February 13, 2020, after heavy rain caused the Coomera River to rise. Picture: Mark Boothman / Facebook

None of this is of any use to people reliant on the John Muntz Bridge nervously eyeing the changing riverbank.

Mr Boothman is adamant that action must be taken urgently, before the next major weather event.

“I don’t care who fixes it, I just want it fixed,” he said.

“I’ve been begging the state to do it because it’s a state-controlled road, even if it means we go in partnership with the council, whoever, we just need it fixed.”

It’s hard to disagree. The many thousands of people reliant on this bridge need reassurance they will not be left stranded once more.

Because if every effort is not made to protect it, they are the ones who will ultimately bear the cost.