General News
7 February, 2025
Newly constructed $4.35m bridge at Brookstead officially opened
On Friday, Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald and TRC Construction and Maintenance (Infrastructure Services) portfolio spokesperson Cr Carol Taylor were joined by Senator Anthony Chisholm, the Assistant Minister for Regional Development, to officially open the newly constructed bridge on Melrose Road at Brookstead.
The bridge, which is across the North Branch of the Condamine River, provides a key rural route for agricultural productivity in our region.
The original single lane timber bridge, estimated to have been at least 60 years old, was damaged in the 2011 floods and any repairs made by TRC over the last fourteen years have only been a short term fix.
Work on the project started with the demolition of the old bridge followed by the construction of a two lane concrete bridge at an overall length of 29 metres.
Cr Taylor said the aim of the project was to improve safety and traffic efficiency, but it was also recognition of the road as an important connection for primary producers.
“The transport of our agricultural produce and farming machinery absolutely depends on a safe and secure crossing over the Condamine River,” she said.
Cr Taylor congratulated the staff and contractors who worked on the project and said Council was grateful for the community’s patience during the construction period.
In August last year, seventeen pre-cast piles were driven into the middle of the Condamine River to provide the foundations for the construction of the bridge - five piles at the western abutment, seven piles in the centre pier and five piles at the eastern abutment.
The construction of the new bridge has improved drainage and road approaches, signage and line marking.
The project was jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure, formerly Bridges Renewal Program, ($2.55 million) and Toowoomba Regional Council ($1.8 million).
Mr McDonald said Council was grateful for the Australian Government’s financial contribution to the vital upgrade project.
“Council is responsible for a vast infrastructure network across our 13,000km² Region and appreciates the contribution that ensures we keep replacing aged infrastructure for residents across our rural localities, as well as our urban areas,” he said.
“We all take pride in the innovation of our workforce to deliver essential services within our tight and responsible budget.
“Sometimes the funds we have at our disposal cannot keep up with the growth of our region and we face this as a reality each and every day - it’s for this reason we need strong partnerships.
“The agricultural sector, including the broadacre farms across our southern and western downs country is a major part of our regional economy,” Mr McDonald said.
In 2024, the Toowoomba Region maintained its standing as the best performing agricultural region in the state with a Gross Value of Production (GVP) worth $1.27 billion.
“One in 20 people are employed in the agricultural sector of our region,” Mr McDonald said.
Senator Chisholm, who was representing the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain, said the new bridge will ensure our region will continue to enhance its reputation as one that is a serious contributor to the nation’s economy.
“Infrastructure projects, such as this one, deliver an immediate economic boost to regional and rural areas by reducing the potential for any of the risks associated with flood-related road closures,” he said.
“Thank you to the community for their patience and co-operation during the construction of this project as it was a complex undertaking, with Melrose Road closed for the duration of the construction.”
Fellow Councillors, TRC Infrastructure Services Group executives, TRC Infrastructure Services Group crews, contractors and surrounding residents also attended the opening.
