Cairns Council outlines delivery plan for crucial community bridge

Work is set to begin on a new two-lane bridge for Holloways Beach in Cairns, marking a significant step forward in the city's recovery from the devastating impacts of 2023's Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

The new 80-metre bridge on Casuarina Street will replace a critical section of road and foreshore that washed away when Richter Creek, a tributary of the Barron River, created a secondary creek mouth during the floods.

To keep access open in the aftermath of Jasper, Cairns Regional Council installed a temporary single-lane crossing in the days after the extreme weather event, and the structure has served the community well ever since.

Now, after comprehensive planning and with funding secured from the Australian and Queensland Governments, council will deliver a permanent solution that will restore reliable access for the community.

In addition to two lanes, the new Holloways Beach Bridge will also feature a shared footpath and cycle lane to enhance safety and accessibility for all users.

Works on the new bridge will commence later this year, with construction expected to be completed by 30 June 2026, weather permitting.

The $25.4 million project is being jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), with an additional $400,000 contribution from Cairns Council.

Around $17 million is earmarked for the new bridge in 2025-26, with the remaining funds allocated for the following financial year. 

After making landfall over Far North Queensland in December 2023, Tropical Cyclone Jasper quickly became one of the most destructive and costly disaster events Queensland has endured, with a reconstruction bill of $1.76 billion.

The state and Commonwealth continue to work with all impacted councils across the Far North, Cape and Gulf to ensure the region fully recovers from the cyclone and associated flooding.

Other Cyclone Jasper infrastructure recovery projects being delivered by Cairns Regional Council this year include landslip repairs on Lake Morris Road and drainage upgrades at a variety of sites across the local government area.

These efforts aim to strengthen the city with greater resilience so it can better withstand future disasters.