The announcement of $3.1 million in funding for a bridge at Price Creek has been met with excitement by Illinbah residents.
The Australian Government’s Emergency Response Fund will provide for a two-lane concrete bridge to replace the low-level crossing which is vulnerable to extreme weather events that often result in the area’s 73 residential properties and businesses becoming isolated.
Scenic Rim Division 3 Councillor Virginia West, who chairs the Scenic Valleys Regional Road Group and is a member of the Local Government Association of Queensland’s Roads and Transport Advisory Group, welcomed the funding for the new bridge on Upper Coomera Road at Ferny Glen.
“The new bridge at Price Creek represents another key piece of infrastructure in our Scenic Rim road network as the current flood-prone causeway is the only access for business and residential properties at Illinbah, Tabletop, Gray and Price Creek Roads,” she said.
“I am grateful for the Australian Government’s support through the Emergency Response Fund that will improve access, but also more importantly safety, for the Illinbah Valley during extreme wet weather.”
The funding announcement for Price Creek Bridge was welcome news for Nicole Krause, an Australia Post parcel delivery contractor.
“I’ve experienced being flooded in and flooded out – being stuck at home and unable to run my business or unable to get home and forced to stay overnight in Canungra with the causeway under water,” she said.
“At times this has cost me a week’s wages because I couldn’t get out to do my deliveries, and other times I’ve had to rely on neighbours to look after my animals because I have been unable to get home.”
The isolation caused by flooding following heavy rain is also an issue for young families with school-aged children and elderly members of the community with health issues.
“This has become a popular area to move into but people who have purchased properties have not realised how isolated it can become,” Nicole said.
“I am really looking forward to Price Creek being upgraded.”
