Orealla Bridge delivers a jobs boost for Noosa

The new Orealla Crescent Bridge is a major feat of engineering that used a Lego-style construction to create the 24-metre span. 

Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart, Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker Llew O'Brien, and Mark Goodwin of SGQ (right) unveil a new Tingira Park sign as part of the official opening of the new Orealla Bridge this morning.

The unique design and construction process resulted in significant cost-savings, slashing nearly three million dollars from the initial projected cost of $6.3 million.

Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart joined Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O'Brien, contractors SGQ and local suppliers today (Monday, February 8) to officially open the new Orealla Crescent Bridge at Sunrise Beach.

Mayor Stewart said the huge savings and complex build was a credit to all involved.

“We now have a bridge with a 166-tonne rating and a lifespan of 100 years to cater for our long-term traffic needs,” she said.

“A feature of this project was the use of Noosa-based businesses TOD Consulting Engineers, who produced the bridge design and NEACH who supplied the pedestrian handrails,” she said.

Mr O’Brien said the project had been a well-orchestrated partnership between Noosa Council, the Australian Government and construction contractor SGQ.

“This project generated over 50 local jobs and involved 34 suppliers, with construction starting in April last year at the height of the pandemic, and it was completed within 10 months and under budget,” Mr O’Brien said.

“It’s a tangible example of what can be achieved through collaboration, with quality Australian workmanship.

“The bridge is used by more than 12,000 vehicles every day, so this upgrade will ensure a safer, more reliable road network to help keep Noosa’s traffic and its economy running smoothly, as well as creating much-needed jobs for local people as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Morrison Government is committed to improving local roads and bridges such as Orealla Bridge to keep people safe and deliver long-term benefits to pedestrians, drivers and local communities,” Mr O’Brien said.

The complicated build required 32 concrete decks to be manufactured off-site at a number of different locations across south-east Queensland, before each was individually transported to the site for installation.

The new Orealla Bridge was built using 40 tonnes of Australian steel, more than 210 cubic metres of concrete, 140 tonnes of asphalt and 32 concrete wall panels and deck units, each weighing about 11 tonnes.

In association with the construction of the new bridge, Noosa Council resurfaced impacted sections of Orealla Crescent and completed landscaping of the nearby open space.

The project was funded on a 50/50 basis by the Australian Government through the Bridges Renewal Program and the Noosa Council.