Cairns councillor Rob Pyne levels racism claim over locked Westcourt bridge

Bombshell racism claims have been rejected by Cairns Regional Council after one of its own criticised a decision to lock community members out of a crucial pedestrian link.

BOMBSHELL racism claims have been rejected by Cairns Regional Council after one of its own criticised a decision to lock community members out of a crucial pedestrian link.

Division 2 councillor Rob Pyne has taken aim at the nightly 6pm closure of the Givens St bridge in Westcourt following a $550,000 upgrade.

The bridge has long been used by locals without vehicle access, including a high number of Indigenous residents.

“You don’t have to scratch far below the surface in Cairns or regional Queensland to come across issues of race,” Cr Pyne said.

“There’s bridges and cycleways all across Cairns, and this is the first one I’ve ever seen that’s closed after 6pm.

“The suburb of Westcourt, of course, has many black and brown-skinned people who need to use this bridge to get to the other side.

“It seems to me some of the white people on the other side don’t want access after 6pm.

“Whatever happened in this country, isn’t there supposed to be one rule for all?”

But council CEO Mica Martin explained the reasons for the closure, saying the bridge still needed to have lighting and CCTV installed.

The Dillon St stormwater drain, which connects to Moody Creek, has had some interesting visitors over the years. This 1.5m croc was spotted on the banks in 2007. Picture: Mel Thew

“Once this is done, council intends to trial leaving the bridge open overnight for a three-month period,” she said.

Ms Martin said two cycling clubs and more than 350 residents were consulted before the bridge was built.

The vast majority were opposed to the bridge being built due to a potential increase in anti-social behaviour – but it went ahead in an effort to promote active transport.

“However, special modifications were incorporated into the design, including CCTV, lighting and the installation of gates to allow the bridge to be locked each night, to address community safety concerns,” Ms Martin said.

“The decision to close the Givens St pedestrian bridge overnight was an operational matter and made in consultation with the divisional councillors (Cr Amy Eden and Cr Terry James).”

Crocs are not the only occasional unwanted residents of the creek. Police officers and tow truck operators removed a white Holden Commodore utility from the stormwater drain back in 2017. Picture: BRENDAN RADKE

Division 5 councillor Amy Eden said the closure balanced “the needs of the cycle fraternity and adjacent community”.

Cr Pyne said 24-hour access was vital in an economy where shift work was the norm.

“To have this bridge closed at 6pm every night, to lock people out of their own suburb, is an absolute disgrace,” he said.

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Originally published as Cairns councillor Rob Pyne levels racism claim over locked Westcourt bridge