A section of the Ollera Creek Bridge, located north of Townsville, collapsed into floodwaters on Sunday afternoon, severing a crucial link on the Bruce Highway and disrupting supplies to communities further north. The collapse follows record-breaking rainfall in the region, with over 1,400 millimeters falling in Paluma over the weekend.
Essential Supply Routes Severely Impacted
The Bruce Highway, a 1,700-kilometer arterial road connecting Queensland’s southeast to the far north, is now partially unusable due to the bridge failure. The disruption means supplies, including food, fuel, and drinking water, must take substantial detours to reach affected areas.
Local landowner Joe Girgenti, based in Mutarnee, warned that north Queensland could soon face serious supply shortages.
“There’s no trucks going from Townsville north, and Ingham is in flood,” he said. “Shelves will be starting to get a bit empty right now.”
He also highlighted the reliance on generators in the region, noting that most households have only limited fuel reserves.
Flooding Worsens, Communities Rely on Air Support
Further north, the Hinchinbrook region, including Ingham, is experiencing its worst flooding since 1967. The town’s power substation was inundated on Sunday evening, leaving nearly 5,000 residents without electricity. The lack of power has also impacted the town’s ability to ensure safe drinking water.
Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo said air support is now critical for delivering essential supplies, including a large generator to restore power.
“If it just keeps raining, the choppers can’t really fly in that weather too, so there’s another problem that we’re facing,” he said.
Calls for Urgent Repairs and Government Action
The collapse of Ollera Creek Bridge has raised concerns about long-term recovery efforts in flood-affected regions. Premier David Crisafulli stressed the urgency of repairs, stating:
“It must be repaired, and repaired swiftly.”
Katter’s Australian Party MP Nick Dametto warned that the bridge failure could significantly delay the recovery process.
“This turns what is a logistical problem during a flood clean-up into a logistical nightmare.”
He emphasized that the Bruce Highway is the only direct route to Ingham, north Queensland, and Gulf Country, making repairs a top priority once waters recede. Party leader Bob Katter has reportedly raised concerns with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Unprecedented Rainfall Raises Concerns About Infrastructure Resilience
Local residents noted that while heavy rainfall is common in the region, the intensity and volume of recent downpours have been unlike anything seen before. Joe Girgenti described the scale of the event:
“[We had] just under 500mm yesterday, I think the day before was 450mm—we’ve never had this type of rainfall before.”
With floodwaters still high and the full extent of infrastructure damage yet to be assessed, recovery efforts remain challenging. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and assess the feasibility of temporary solutions to restore connectivity as soon as possible.
