They deserve a bridge and roadway they can pass along without delays or fear of not making key appointments, airport runs or other trips.

It’s wonderful the Captain Cook Highway is re-opening soon, but what happens if we get another cyclone or rain event that seriously damages it and forces it to be closed for a lengthened period of time?

We will be back to square one and many Douglas Shire residents again needing to take the inland road to Cairns, which means having to encounter ridiculous potential delays at Bushy Creek Bridge if there has been serious rainfall.

A reminder, Newsport understands and acknowledges Bushy Creek is Mareeba Shire territory, but we'll re-state, the ongoing state of Bushy Creek Bridge and the continual closings, particularly during the wet season effect thousands of Douglas Shire residents, therefore it remains a very important issue to our Shire and readers. 

Oddly, as you'll see in the responses Cook MP Cynthia Lui says she has had no correspondence from Mareeba Shire in particular around lobbying and advocating for improvements to Bushy Creek Bridge. However, when questioned, Mareeba Shire Council said they had previously and according to them, continue to lobby Ms Lui and the State Government for immediate improvements to the Bridge.

As promised Newsport reached out to Cook MP Cynthia Lui and others about this issue – but sadly, there was little to no committment to make this issue a priority, to create a petition, to start high level talks, to get the ball rolling to immediately raise the bridge and fix metres of road at either end.

Cynthia Liu

“I will always work with my communities and with Councils in my electorate to ensure we get the best outcomes for our community,” Cynthia Lui said in a statement to Newsport.

“If this recent flooding disaster has shown us anything, it has highlighted how crucially important connectivity is. Our roads are our arteries."

Newsport asked QLD roads transport Minister Bart Mellish if he realises the critical nature of upgrading Bushy Creek Bridge and to take this matter seriously.

Transport and Main Roads

“The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is aware of annual flooding issues during the wet season at the Bushy Creek crossing,” a TMR spokesperson told Newsport..the Queensland Government is currently subsidising a ferry service between Cairns and Port Douglas while crews work to re-open the Captain Cook highway.”

Mareeba Shire Council

Newsport also approached Mareeba Shire Mayor Angela Toppin for a direct response to this ongoing issue.

“Yes, Bushy Creek Bridge and the raising of the bridge is a priority for Mareeba Shire Council," Mayor Toppin told Newsport.

“The bridge provides a critical link between Tablelands and Port Douglas and the recent wet weather event indicates how important this bridge is."

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NEWSPORT FULL QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES

Cynthia Liu

Q1) Cynthia, Bushy Creek Bridge is an ongoing source of frustration for local motorists.

Recent rainfall last week and over the weekend forced Bushy Creek Bridge to close on and off due to flood waters and water over the road in the lead up to the bridge. Are you lobbying the State to get funds to raise the bridge and road near the bridge? 

Q2) Are you working together with Mareeba Shire and Douglas Shire Council to get State funds to raise the bridge and road in this area in the future?

Q3) Is Bushy Creek Bridge and the raising of the bridge and road a priority for you?

Cynthia Lui full response

“I will always work with my communities and with Councils in my electorate to ensure we get the best outcomes for our community.

“If this recent flooding disaster has shown us anything, it has highlighted how crucially important connectivity is.

“Our roads are our arteries. Without these vital connections, our people and our businesses suffer.

“I have not been approached by either Council yet about Bushy Creek Bridge specifically, but its importance is well-known to me and to the team at Transport and Main Roads”.  

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TMR

1) Has TMR been contacted about the state of Bushy Creek Bridge at Julatten by Mareeba or Douglas Shire residents to express the need for upgrades to this bridge and for the road and bridge to be raised so it doesn't succumb to flood waters every time it rains?

2) Is QLD Roads Minister Bart Mellish aware of the catastrophe that the ongoing closure of the Bushy Creek Bridge is having on the livelihoods of residents from the Douglas Shire?

3) Is Roads Minster Bart Mellish aware that there is no point having cheap flights to Port Douglas if tourists can't actually access Port Douglas because of the ongoing closure to Bushy Creek Bridge because of flood waters and a bridge that is constantly under water?

TMR full response

“The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is aware of annual flooding issues during the wet season at the Bushy Creek crossing.

“A flood monitoring station was installed at the site on the Mossman-Mount Molloy Road in 2018.

“This flood monitoring station operates automatically to record long term flood height data at this location and provide vision to TMR during a flooding event.

“TMR recently carried out emergency repair works at Bushy Creek caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper.  These works were completed on 19 December 2023.

“The Queensland Government is currently subsidising a ferry service between Cairns and Port Douglas while crews work to re-open the Captain Cook Highway.”

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Mareeba Shire Council 

Q1) Angela, Bushy Creek Bridge is an ongoing source of frustration for motorists. Recent rainfall last week and over the weekend, forced Bushy Creek Bridge to close on and off due to flood waters over the bridge and water over the road in the lead up to the bridge.

Is Mareeba Shire currently lobbying Cynthia Lui (Cook MP) to get funds to raise the bridge and road near the bridge? 

 Q2) Would Mareeba Shire work collaboratively with Douglas Shire Council and Cynthia Lui to get funds to raise the bridge and road in this area in the future?

 Q3) Is Bushy Creek Bridge and the raising of the bridge and road a priority for Mareeba Shire Council?

Mareeba Shire Council full response

"Mareeba Shire Council will continue to advocate for reliable access to the tablelands. The recent cyclone and flooding event saw the closure of all four range crossings to the Tablelands, isolating the entire region from the coast. These crossings are significant impediments to growth, not only for our Shire but for the region as a whole.

"Bushy Creek Bridge provides a critical link between Tablelands and Port Douglas and the recent wet weather event indicates how important this bridge is.

"Bushy Creek Bridge, and the condition of the road, is regularly raised at Council’s Traffic Advisory Committee meetings. The Traffic Advisory Committee provides advice, information and guidance to Council regarding implementation of traffic, road and transport strategies and local initiatives with inter-agency representation and support.

"Bushy Creek Bridge is under control of the Department of Main Roads (TMR) as it is a state-controlled road. Council will continue to advocate to the State Government for the improving of Bushy Creek Bridge and the condition of the road.

"Yes, Bushy Creek Bridge and the raising of the bridge is a priority for Mareeba Shire Council. The bridge provides a critical link between Tablelands and Port Douglas and the recent wet weather event indicates how important this bridge is.

"Mareeba Shire Council will continue to advocate to the State Government for improved access to the coast."

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Douglas Shire Council Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon response

“I definitely fully appreciate the need to have a discussion around potential future upgrades or improvements to Bushy Creek Bridge and the road that passes on and near it.

“Douglas Shire residents have been commuting through Bushy Creek on their trips to and from the Shire following the ongoing closure of the Captain Cook Highway over the past number of weeks.

“Any lobbying to improve Bushy Creek Bridge would be a joint effort between Mareeba Shire, Douglas Shire and the State Government.”