August 2024 - Project complete

The project is now complete. Thank you to everyone who attended the opening event to celebrate the completion of this major project!

June 2024 - Project update

The first suspension bridge at Grey Gully was completed in May, and now we're on the final stretch with the second bridge at Kurnabinna Gully just completed. We are finalising the finishing touches to the boardwalks including connecting them into the new bridges. We will be communicating the details regarding the opening event for this section of the walkway soon!

April 2024 - project update

The Grey Gully bridge is almost complete (see photos), and work will soon be commencing on the Kurnabinna Gully bridge. Both bridges are expected to be complete by the end of May, whereby they will be linked into the boardwalk sections ahead of this section of the walkway reopening in mid-2024.

January 2024 - project update

Over the coming weeks, works on the bridge anchor points will be finalised, with the bridge structures then scheduled to be installed from mid-March. You will notice increased levels of activity and noise as a result of these works.

The bridges are expected to be in place by the end of April.

Works can then begin to link the bridges to the walkway path and on associated landscaping ahead of this section of walkway reopening by mid-2024.

October 2023 - project update

The support structures for each of the bridges is now nearing completion. Walkway paths have also been completed at the northern end of Grey Road.

The bridge components have now been delivered to site and are in storage at our site compound at Fryer Street Reserve.

Above ground construction of the bridges is expected to commence in January 2024. Kurnabinna Gully bridge will be built first, followed by the Grey Gully bridge. Both bridges are anticipated to be in place by February 2024.

Works will then focus on finalising the construction of and linking in the surrounding boardwalk paths. The overall project is expected to be complete by mid-2024.

April 2023 - Installation of bridge footings commencing soon

Works to install the bridge ground anchors will be commencing from Monday 8 May 2023. These works will involve drilling and excavation activities, which will generate increased noise levels during working hours.

It is important to note that noise levels will continue to be monitored during this phase of the works, and we are committed to taking all reasonable and practicable measures to minimise the impacts of noise resulting from these activities.

The anticipated duration of works at each location are:

• Kurnabinna Gully 4 weeks

• Grey Road Gully 8 weeks

Works will be undertaken between the hours of 7:00am and 6:30pm Monday to Friday, with some Saturday works between 7:00am and 5:30pm when required.

We would like to thank you for your ongoing patience as we deliver the Coastal Walkway Bridges project.

20 February 2023 - Start of on-site works

Works commenced on the 20/02/2023, starting with the construction of the site compound at Fryer Street Reserve. For further information read the Start of Works Notice.

January/ February 2023 update

Council are currently working through the approvals process for the proposed works compound location at Fryer Street Reserve. We are expecting to receive a decision on this in around mid-February. We will keep you up to date as this process progresses.

December 2022 update

At its December General Council Meeting, Council considered in confidence some construction details relating to the building of the Coastal Walkway bridges. Some of the issues under consideration related to the design of the bridge foundations whereby an error in the engineering loads had been made by external consultants resulting in wrong information being relied upon to determine the engineering requirements. This has resulted in a redesign process for the below-ground aspect of the bridge.

As a result of this work, additional funding is required for the bridges to ensure appropriate safe weight bearing of the bridges. This was approved by Council. The above-ground visual aspect of the bridges and their locations, which have been already shared with the community, will remain the same.

From an engineering, cost and environmental perspective, the reports presented to Council demonstrate that the bridges still provide the best option for the wider community.

Work on the bridges will begin as soon as possible with completion anticipated in December next year.

September 2022 update

Council is experiencing procurement delays with key materials required for the Grey Road Gully and Kurnabinna Gully suspension bridges. Construction has not commenced due to this. Updates will be provided once these issues are resolved.

June 2022 update

At the General Council meeting on 24 May 2022, Council Members resolved to confirm their decision to build the suspension bridges across Grey Road Gully and Kurnabinna Gully at Hallett Cove.

Grey Road Gully and Kurnabinna Gully remain the final sections of the Coastal Walkway improvement project to be completed. The $1.126 million Field River upgrade was officially opened in April 2022.

For environmental, accessibility and financial reasons, Council resolved late last year to proceed with suspension bridge designs rather than rebuilding the stairs.

That decision was reviewed by various consultants in recent months, including an environmental assessment report and a Prudential Report prepared in accordance with Section 48 of the Local Government Act 1999.

Taking into consideration these reports, Council has accepted the advice that building the suspension bridges will minimise adverse environmental impacts on the locality and improve accessibility.

The bridges will also reduce risk during construction and will be several hundred thousand dollars more cost-effective when considering the “whole of life” costs of the project.

It has been noted that global material shortages, increased labour costs and recent CPI increases have significantly increased the cost of installing the bridges.

The same cost pressures would be applicable to the stairs option but ascertaining accurate tender comparisons would result in additional design costs and further delays to the project.

Please see the details here