Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald calls on Qld government to prioritise funding for notorious Back Creek Bridge

Toowoomba’s mayor has joined the chorus of Darling Downs and South Burnett residents urging the Queensland government to prioritise upgrade funding for a notorious single-lane bridge.

Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald has weighed in on the Back Creek Bridge upgrade, saying the Queensland Government needs to make it a priority.

The chorus calling for change has continued to echo as the Queensland government remains silent on a commitment to fund a major upgrade of the New England Highway’s only single-lane bridge.

Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald is among those urging the state government to prioritise funding and the construction of Back Creek Bridge at Cooyar, which recently left a man in a critical condition after colliding with a truck near the bridge. 

Mr McDonald said the state government holds responsibility for the bridge and could consider federal funding options through programs Bridges Renewal Program and Black Spot Funding.

“The ongoing delays in upgrading Back Creek Bridge continue to pose significant risks to motorists and freight operators,” he said.

“Council echoes the calls by community members urging the Queensland government to prioritise funding and expedite the construction of a safer, modern bridge to prevent further accidents and ensure the safety of all road users.”

South Burnett mayor Kathy Duff said in a statement council would support and welcome the upgrade of the bridge to two lanes.

Cooyar's single-lane Back Creek Bridge has seen countless crashes and near misses, with the Queensland Government yet to commit to funding and a timeline for an upgrade.

This incident is just one of dozens that have occurred on or near the bridge in more than a decade, such as the one Toowoomba resident Janet Howie was involved that has left her suffering from a long-term injury after a crash on the bridge in 2023.

Retired farmer Ken Gordon also told this publication he was lucky to survive an incident on the bridge back in 2012, when a truck came barrelling through the give way sign and side swiped Mr Gordon’s utility while he was crossing the bridge.

The truck driver told Mr Gordon he didn’t see any give way sign.

News Corp has mapped 17 crashes on or near the bridge in the past two decades, with more than 20 requiring hospitalisation, however doesn’t suggest the bridge is the cause of all crashes.

It was almost eight years ago when Nanango MP and now Attorney-General Deb Frecklington promised the LNP would fund a $5m upgrade to widen the bridge to two lanes if they came into power.

Despite Ms Frecklington raising safety concerns about the bridge with the previous Labor government and demanding action in 2020, 2021, and 2022, funding for the bridge to be upgraded was not allocated in the LNP’s first budget since returning to government.

Ms Frecklington is yet to respond to New Corp’s latest request for comment, previously stating she still believed the bridge needed upgrading, but did not offer a funding timeline.

“I stand by my longstanding calls for upgrades to the Back Creek Bridge, and completely agree with the readers of the Toowoomba Chronicle who voted in favour of the bridge upgrade,” she said.

“This remains a priority for me, after the former Labor government left behind an enormous $8bn road maintenance backlog across Queensland.

“As we start chipping away at the lengthy backlog of Labor’s underfunded roads across Queensland, I am proud to have secured funding to progress works at the Tandurignie Bridge, near Cooyar – another local bridge in desperate need of replacement.”

An LNP insider told this publication that Ms Frecklington’s promise was void as it was made two elections ago.

Premier David Crisafulli was contacted for comment, however his office declined.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg confirmed planning is underway for long-term safety upgrades to the bridge and its approaches, but has not committed to a funding timeline.

“Planning is underway for long-term safety and infrastructure upgrades at Back Creek Bridge at Cooyar,” Mr Mickelberg said.

Originally published as Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald calls on Qld government to prioritise funding for notorious Back Creek Bridge