Stronger seawall for Bongaree

Bribie Island’s Bongaree seawall, damaged by a one-in-20 year storm surge last year, is being rebuilt to a stronger standard thanks to the Newman Government’s Betterment Fund.

Inspecting the $3.3 million project today, Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli said $1.9 million was coming from the Betterment Fund to extend the seawall and make the esplanade more resilient.

“The $80 million Betterment Fund is part of our strong plan to build a more resilient Queensland,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“The Bongaree esplanade is one of the attractions that make Bribie Island so special.

“The storm surge from ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald eroded a significant amount of sand at the base of the original seawall, damaging the foundations and a 200 metre section of concrete.

“Council came forward with a proposal to not only rebuild the seawall but make it better with a longer, stronger stepped structure to improve its resilience to storm surges and wild weather.

“While this project may cost a little more up-front, it will save communities the heartache and expense of repeatedly replacing vulnerable infrastructure.”

Stage one to replace the original seawall is now complete with work underway on the $2.4 million second stage, with $1.9 million from the Betterment Fund, to build a new 250 metre seawall to better protect the foreshore, underground services, drainage, recreation equipment and a public car park.

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland thanked residents for their patience. “The seawall will have long-term benefits for locals and visitors to this beautiful beach, which is a popular spot for fishing, swimming and walking,” Mr Sutherland said.

“This is an important piece of infrastructure and the extra work we are doing will help improve the resilience of the esplanade.”

Pumicestone MP Lisa France said the project will further enhance the area.

“This section of the Pumicestone Passage is extremely popular with residents, visitors and tourists and we want to do everything we can to protect it,” Mrs France said.

The $80 million Betterment Fund is part of the Newman Government’s push to end Labor’s wasteful approach of rebuilding the same infrastructure to the same standard only to see it damaged again.

[ENDS] 1 June 2014

Media Contact: Andrew Longmire 0418 216 627