Work underway on retaining wall near Lamington Bridge after flood events

A retaining wall and other protections will be built on the banks of the Mary River at Maryborough after they were scoured by raging flood waters in 2022, near Lamington Bridge and a Tinana caravan park.

An artist's impression of what the new retaining wall will look like near the Lamington Bridge in Tinana.

Work is well underway on building a retaining wall and other protections near the Lamington Bridge after flooding caused extensive erosion on the banks of the Mary River in 2022.

Trees fell into the river and a significant part of the bank fell away, leaving the owner of the nearby Huntsville Caravan Park concerned.

A letter, viewed by the Fraser Coast Chronicle in April 2022, showed an exchange between the manager of the park and the Department of Transport and Main Roads, with concerns raised regarding both the bridge and the erosion near the caravan park.

Mary River flooding at the Lamington Bridge.

The letter said the Lamington Bridge was first damaged in the 2013 floods, after substantial rain fell across the Wide Bay courtesy of ex-tropical cyclone Oswald.

Poor soil condition of the riverbank coupled with the significant rain event was likely to be the main cause of the vegetation washing away, the letter from TMR said.

According to the project details shared by TMR late last year, the floodwaters caused scouring of the river bank adjoining and beneath the southern end of the bridge.

“Works involve installation of a retaining wall and concrete batter protection which will stabilise the bank and prevent further erosion,” it read.

The Lamington Bridge in Tinana.

The project had been jointly funded by the state and federal governments, it said.

“It’s positive to see the works being carried out to restore the southern bank of the Mary River around the Lamington Bridge,” Fraser Coast councillor Paul Truscott said.

“Once completed, this should help stabilise the bank in future flood events.

“I understand there will be some traffic disruptions and drivers' patience is appreciated during this time.”

Eight people treated after scooter battery explodes

Man charged with attempted murder over shooting

Originally published as Work underway on retaining wall near Lamington Bridge after flood events