Residents launch late bid to stop overpass

Residents fighting construction of a multi-million dollar pedestrian overpass in Clontarf, have called on the Queensland Ombudsman for help.

Stop Clontarf Overpass Action Group (SCOAG) has lodged a complaint about the $19 million project, across Elizabeth Ave, with the Ombudsman.

The complaint underwent a preliminary investigation on September 13. It was referred to the Investigation and Resolution Unit (IRU) with an investigator assigned on September 20.

SCOAG has issued a "cease and desist" letter to the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) “requesting all construction relating to the overpass to cease until the investigation by the Ombudsman is completed".

On average, investigations take three months.

It comes as offices and fencing have arrived on site, suggesting work is about to start and State Member for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath posted an interview with a parent supporting the bridge.

SCOAG had hoped to have the matter heard at QCAT (Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal) in June but was unsuccessful and it could not be escalated through the civil court.

The residents group says the overpass does not “resolve pedestrian safety issues, harms local flora and fauna, significantly impacts carbon drawdown and does not meet community expectations of efficient use of public funds”.

Plans for the overpass, linking Clontarf Beach State High School with it’s ‘western campus’ playing fields, beside Elizabeth Ave, appeared online in February.

It was fast-tracked through the Federal Road Safety Program with funding split 80:20 between the Federal ($15.2 million) and State ($3.8 million) governments.

Protests started immediately. A petition was launched, political representatives were lobbied and a series of meetings and public information sessions held.

SCOAG said, at the time, while safety was essential, the community was “unaware of the proposal and public reaction has been almost completely negative”.

It said the fields were only used “a few days a year”, called for more “cost-effective solutions”, such as employing a safety officer and road safety issues were not being addressed.

Youngsters at Creative Kids, on Elizabeth Ave, have supported the campaign. After hearing about the overpass and trees inhabited by koalas which will be cut down, they made protest signs.

State Member for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath has recently posted an interview on social media with a parent who says her daughter was at the intersection when a truck ran a red light.

The health minister’s electorate office also said a “significant amount of work” went into getting public feedback on the project and to alleviate public concerns.

The minister’s office said “the vast majority of constituents” who contacted the Electorate Office for information were then “satisfied with the project going ahead”.

“Only a handful of individuals have remained dissatisfied,” it said.

A spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts said the Federal funding was in place.

“The Australian Government has committed $15.2 million under Tranche 3 of the program towards the construction of a fully-enclosed pedestrian overpass over Elizabeth Avenue to provide a safe crossing facility connecting Clontarf Beach State High School's main campus and the Department of Education fields across the road.

“The $19 million project is currently under construction, with works expected to be completed in mid-2023, weather and construction conditions permitting.”