A new bridge is set to be constructed over Gustav Creek later this year to replace the structure after it was damaged beyond repair in the record-breaking rainfall starting at the end of last year.
The $7.4 million project is financed through the jointly funded Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney thanked the Australian and Queensland Governments for supporting the restoration of access across Gustav Creek.
"It was a massive loss to lose the Sooning Street bridge after it sustained major damage during the severe weather event in late December last year," Cr Greaney said.
"With the first three months of the year bringing record-breaking rainfall, the damage the structure sustained made it irreparable, resulting in Council demolishing what was left of the structure to limit impacts to the environment.
"Council have been working to resolve the access with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) since the December event, so it is terrific they have recognised the importance of this vital link for Magnetic Island and approved the funding for its replacement."
Queensland Minister for Local Government and Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said Council will be well supported through the reconstruction process.
"We've moved quickly to get Council the funds needed to deliver this vital rebuild for the community," Minister Leahy said.
"Maggie is one of the jewels of our north and we want to make sure residents and visitors have ease of access when on the island.
"The recent break in heavy rains has allowed for clean-up and early engineering works to progress well.
"Through the QRA we'll keep working closely with Council right through to project completion, delivering a stronger Sooning Street bridge for the people of Townsville."
Councillor Greaney said Council had been working with the BMD / AECOM team to finalise a design for a new 38-metre bridge to replace the culvert drainage structure that was damaged.
"Not only is it important that we're able to restore this bridge for our community, but build it back better, so that we are not in the same position again anytime soon," Cr Greaney said.
"Once the design is finalised and approvals all signed off, the contractor will begin immediate early stage works, ideally we would love to have a replacement bridge in place by November, weather and conditions permitting."
Early stages will include ordering long lead-time items such as precast beams and piles to avoid delays as much as possible.
Councillor Greaney said with the rain subsiding, Council was set to complete an extensive amount of work to the Island's road and drainage network after the Anzac Day long weekend thanks to Disaster Relief Funding Arrangement funding.
"While Island-based crews have been working to deal with a saturated road network, we anticipate being able to complete more permanent restoration works once the roads dry out."
Significant repairs will be made to sections of Apjohn Street, Pollard Street, Compass Street, Nelly Bay Road, Horseshoe Bay Road, Barton Street, Mandalay Street, and Kelly Street.
As part of these works, Council will grade unsealed roads across the Island, fill washouts and replace gravel in some areas where needed once conditions dry out.
