Construction to begin on crucial Sooning Street Bridge reconnecting Nelly Bay

Construction crews will begin rebuilding one of Mangetic Island’s critical within weeks after the structure was destroyed by this year’s devastating wet season.

Construction on the Sooning Street Bridge on Magnetic Island is set to begin in the coming weeks as Townsville City Council received $7.4m from the Commonwealth and state government's Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. Picture: Supplied

Magnetic Island’s Sooning Street Bridge is set to be fixed, with construction given the all clear to begin in the coming weeks.

Through the Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, Townsville City Council has received $7.4m to finance the bridge’s construction.

Site preparations and concrete bridge pile construction is officially commencing after the project received the necessary planning approvals to commence the construction of the new bridge over Gustav Creek.

After a prolonged and damaging wet season at the start of the year, the former culvert-structure bridge was irreparably damaged, and required the construction of a new bridge to reconnect the community of Nelly Bay.

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

Disaster Recovery Minister Ann Leahy said that rebuilding this bridge was a part of the state government’s plan to build back better after natural disasters.

“North Queenslanders know better than most the significant impacts that weather events can have on infrastructure, which is why the Crisafulli Government is investing in the Sooning Street Bridge,” Ms Leahy said.

“We are resetting the relationship with local government, allowing us to work collaboratively to deliver these works.”

Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto said the landmark project was an example of how things can be achieved when different levels of government work together.

“Residents of Magnetic Island deserve world class infrastructure which is why council have worked with our counterparts in the state and Commonwealth governments to get this done,” Mr Dametto said.

“Council are mobilising ahead of the wet season to ensure we can start driving piles for the bridge’s foundations as soon as possible and conditions and weather permitting, we are aiming to have the bridge reinstated by mid-2026.”

Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto said the project was an example of how things can be achieved levels of Government work together. Picture: Supplied

Division three councillor Ann-Maree Greaney said the council had been working hard to ensure the pile manufacture could commence immediately after receiving approvals.

“The steelwork and framework has been constructed, ready for the concrete bridge piles which are being poured, works on the Sooning Street laydown site have also begun, and subject to weather conditions, the pile driving equipment is scheduled to mobilise to Magnetic Island this month,” Ms Greaney said.

“We will be working closely with our contractor BMA to get this critical piece of infrastructure rebuilt quickly and safely as possible, which is why we’re mobilising ahead of the wet season.”

Originally published as Construction to begin on crucial Sooning Street Bridge reconnecting Nelly Bay