Frecklington, LNP govt still to commit to Back Creek Bridge upgrade

A former Cooyar resident has referred to the state of a dangerous single-lane bridge as an ‘absolute disgrace’, with the LNP government yet to commit to a time frame and funding to upgrade it to double lanes.

Nanango MP and Attorney-General Deb Frecklington and Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg haven't committed to a timeline and funding for an upgrade to the single-lane bridge at Cooyar.

A midmorning hay delivery should’ve been like any other along the New England Highway, instead, for now-retired farmer Ken Gordon, it was almost the end of his life.

It was in 2012 when Mr Gordon was carrying a load of hay bales strapped to his utility across the single-lane Back Creek Bridge in Cooyar, when a truck came barrelling through the give way sign.

“I probably should’ve died,” Mr Gordon said.

Mr Gordon was sideswiped by the heavy vehicle as it drove across the bridge at speed.

The truck clipped the front side of Mr Gordon’s vehicle, sending it right to the edge of the bridge.

“When I got out and asked the driver why he didn’t stop at the give way sign, he said ‘what give way sign?’,” Mr Gordon said.

Mr Gordon claims the truck driver told him he didn't see the give way signs leading up to the bridge. Photo: Jessica Klein

The retired Cooyar farmer said the notorious bridge, which has been the scene of dozens of catastrophic crashes and countless near misses, needs to be made a priority to be upgraded with a timeline and allocated funding made transparent to the community.

It was almost eight years ago when Nanango MP and now Attorney-General Deb Frecklington promised the LNP would fund a $5 million 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.

In response to further questions from News Corp, Ms Frecklington said she still believed the bridge needed to be upgraded, but did not offer a funding timeline.

Nanango MP and Attorney-General Deb Frecklington is yet to announce funding and a timeline for a two-lane upgrade of Back Creek Bridge. Picture: Liam Kidston

“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 $8 billion 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.

Crash data has revealed 17 crashes have occurred within 250 metres of the bridge since 2001, leaving 21 people injured or hospitalised.

Toowoomba woman Janet Howie was among those hospitalised, still suffering from long-term repercussions which are estimated to have cost her almost $200,000 since the crash in 2023.

Ms Howie and Mr Gordon both agree that the bridge must be upgraded and made a priority

“It’s an absolute disgrace that the bridge is still the way it is, it needs to be done,” Mr Gordon said.

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.