WORK has finally begun on the long-awaited pedestrian footbridge at Victoria Point.
The footbridge will connect the estates directly to the Victoria Point Lakeside precinct and link into the existing pathway network, ending years of frustration for locals who have had to cut makeshift tracks across Eprapah Creek to reach shops and services.
Division 3 Councillor Paul Golle said the works marked an important milestone.
“Residents have waited years for this,” he said.
“It will finally provide safe access and complete the missing link between existing pathways and Lakeside.”
The project is not being delivered by Redland City Council but by contractors on behalf of the developer, under conditions attached to approvals dating back to 2015.
Cr Golle said the original developer, Villa World, was granted relaxations that allowed more housing allotments but never completed the required infrastructure.
Responsibility has since passed to Avid Properties Pty Ltd.
Construction crews have already cleared part of the northern side of Eprapah Creek to allow for geotechnical testing and site access.
The southern side of the project will feature a raised boardwalk to protect sensitive habitat, a design Cr Golle said he strongly supported.
While some vegetation removal is needed, the area will be replanted and landscaped once works are complete.
But the project has not been without criticism.
The Eprapah Creek Catchment Landcare Association has condemned the environmental impacts of the construction, describing the works at Luke Street as “horrifying”.
“We argued strongly against the construction of this bridge when it was before Council in 2018,” said group president Lynn Roberts.
“There is absolutely no need for the most damaging access path parallel to the cul-de-sac of Luke St.
“This path would isolate and degrade a thin strip of highly important vegetation which protects many invaluable veteran trees, some hundreds of years old.
“There is no way these trees will survive long term with a 2.5 metre concrete path within a metre and a half of their base.”
The group argues a more direct route already exists from Marcoola St, servicing the larger residential catchment.
They say this option, combined with existing pathways from lower Luke St, would provide access to the bridge while avoiding destruction of old growth trees.
Landcare also raised concerns about safety, maintenance and cost, warning that a path built under ageing trees could expose users to falling branches and create future legal risks for Council.
“Eliminating the Luke St path would save time and money and protect the highly significant trees along Luke St,” Ms Roberts said.
Pathway connections are expected in September, followed by landscaping and rehabilitation in October, with the project due for completion by December.
Council has requested clear communication with residents throughout construction.
For more information, residents can contact the Council on 3829 8999.
