Somerset's new flood resilient bridge over troubled water
The Somerset region west of Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast is one of south-east Queensland's rural gems, offering many attractions for residents and visitors alike.
Whether it’s fishing, camping, bushwalking, historical sites, music festivals or more, there is plenty to do in this scenic and vibrant part of the state.
Home to major parts of the Brisbane and Stanley River catchments, Somerset is billed as a place of lakes and landscapes, but due to this topography it's also vulnerable to flooding.
From 2019 to 2025 alone, Somerset Regional Council was activated for Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) support following flood events on no less than nine occasions, most recently in March 2025 in response to Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Undoubtedly the worst of these events occurred in February 2022 as part of the wide-reaching Queensland floods that inundated the south-east.
Major flooding across Somerset damaged homes, infrastructure and the environment, disrupted businesses and local agriculture operations, and tragically claimed lives.
Families in the small locality of Scrub Creek to the east of Braemore were cut off after floodwaters destroyed a 10-metre section of the low-lying concrete causeway.
Another section of the causeway was left suspended in mid-air after floodwaters washed away the material beneath it.
When it came to isolating the residents of Scrub Creek, the causeway was a serial offender.
A mere 50mm of rain in Brisbane River’s upper catchment was enough to submerge the crossing.
Recognising the need to rebuild the bridge to a stronger, more resilient standard, Somerset Regional Council worked closely with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to secure Betterment funding for the new bridge.
Emergency roadworks kept Scrub Creek’s residents connected while preparations were made for the new flood resilient bridge.
Construction works commenced in March 2024 and were completed in September 2024, supported by $5.1 million in joint DRFA assistance from the Queensland and Australian Governments, and $186,000 from council.
Raised 0.8 metres above the original causeway, the new 30-metre-long concrete bridge has improved flood resilience and also reduced the time and resources needed to restore access after severe weather, offering long-term benefits for local communities and the wider region.
Already the bridge has proven a game-changer for nearby residents, remaining accessible and maintaining connectivity during heavy rains in December 2024.
That severe weather event was real-time validation of comprehensive flood modelling carried out during the bridge's design phase.
Those models showed the new bridge would ensure Scrub Creek Road remained open during rain events that previously would have cut access for days or sometimes weeks.
To learn more about Betterment and the benefits of rebuilding to a more disaster resilient standard visit www.qra.qld.gov.au/betterment.
