$7.4 million announced to fix Sooning St Bridge on Magnetic Island after 2025 flood event damage

After being unusable for months due flood damage from the record-breaking rainfall earlier in the year, an important connecting bridge on Magnetic Island is set to be rebuilt.

The flood-ravaged bridge across Gustav Creek at Sooning Street on Magnetic Island,

After being unusable for months due to flood damage from the record-breaking rainfall earlier in the year, an important connecting bridge on Magnetic Island is set to be rebuilt.

The Sooning Street Bridge over Gustav Creek was damaged in a weather event in December last year but was further damaged beyond repair after intense rainfall at the start of February 2025, cutting off a vital access point for many residents and tourist on the island.

Designs are being finalised for a new 38-metre bridge to replace the culvert drainage structure that was damaged.

Flood damage to the bridge on Sooning Street, Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island on February 3, 2025. Photo: Supplied

Once finalised the contractor will begin immediate early stage works, with a replacement bridge hopefully to be in place by November, with weather and conditions permitting.

Member for Townsville Adam Baillie announced on Thursday that $7.4 million had been secured from Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) for the bridge to be fixed.

“We are looking forward to getting works underway which will happen immediately and hopefully be completed as soon as possible,” he said.

“This is great news for the Magnetic Island community.”

Mr Baillie said funding was petitioned for “heavily” to Disaster Recover Authority.

“We got them out to see the damage, which they were shocked at, and that’s resulted in the prompt work that we’ve seen and a great outcome for the community.”

Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said the joint state and federal funding was crucial for the restoration of access.

The flood-ravaged bridge across Gustav Creek at Sooning Street on Magnetic Island has been flagged for demolition by Townsville City Council early next week. Acting mayor and divisional councillor Ann-Maree Greaney said she was relieved to get works underway to remove the badly damaged structure, with all excavated materials to be returned to Townsville. Picture: Supplied

“It was a massive loss to lose the Sooning Street bridge after it sustained major damage during the severe weather event in late December last year,” Cr Greaney said.

“While Island-based crews have been working to deal with a saturated road network, we anticipate being able to complete more permanent restoration works once the roads dry out.”

In March Cr Greaney denied suggestions the council was sitting idle over the replacement, saying there were a “lot of moving parts”.

Frustrated residents took aim at the council for failing to replace the bridge, demanding answers on when repairs would be done.

Significant repairs will be made to other sections of Magnetic Island including Apjohn Street, Pollard Street, Compass Street, Nelly Bay Road, Horseshoe Bay Road, Barton Street, Mandalay Street, and Kelly Street.

Townsville City Council said they will grade unsealed roads across the island, fill washouts and replace gravel in some areas where needed once conditions dry out.

For more information visit the council’s website.

Originally published as $7.4 million announced to fix Sooning St Bridge on Magnetic Island after 2025 flood event damage