Work starting on controversial overpass

Construction of the controversial $19 million Elizabeth Ave overpass is set to start this month.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) says “establishment works” will begin on the western (Ray Frawley Fields) side of Elizabeth Ave, at Clontarf.

Power will be installed for a site office, overhead powerlines will be moved underground and trees and vegetation cleared.

The trees will be used for koala poles on an “koala exclusion fence”, running hundreds of metres from Oasis Ct, along Elizabeth Ave and the length of Silcock St.

Online petition

When completed the 35m overpass will link Clontarf Beach State High School with its “western campus" – the fields before the Ray Frawley Fields.

The overpass plan has angered local residents and protestors launched an online petition with attracted more than 500 signatures.

The Stop Clontarf Overpass Action Group (SCOAG) were angered by what they saw as a lack of consultation and described it as a “white elephant”.

At the time, SCOAG said it was “furious about the inconsistencies and lack of transparency” surrounding the project, first spotted in an online announcement in February.

One of the protestors, Les Barkla, said the group was “really frustrated” and wanted answers about potential loss of koala habitat (12 sighting/rescues and two deaths since September 2019).

Local impacts

Four meetings were held between government departments and local residents.

TMR says work will be done from 6am-6pm on weekdays, though “occasional day work” may be needed at weekends.

It says there may be noise and dust during the work, a qualified fauna spotter will be checking the work zone for animals and wildlife.

Motorists may experience some delays when single lane closures and stop/go traffic management is in place.

Updates on the project will be available here.