September 19, 2018
The surprise discovery that a timber bridge across Boughyard Creek near Ironpot isn’t on a Council road reserve may force the South Burnett Regional Council to compulsorily acquire land from neighbouring properties.
At Wednesday’s monthly Council meeting, Councillors heard there were plans to replace the decrepit 55-year-old wooden bridge on Ironpot Road with a box culvert design.
The bridge has been slated for an upgrade since 2015 when Council rated it as one of the South Burnett’s worst wooden bridges and considered putting a load limit on it.
When Council officers assessed its condition recently, they discovered the bridge – and the section of Ironpot Road that services it – aren’t within the road reserve.
This means Council will need to acquire 0.55 ha from neighbouring properties to fix the problem.
Councillors were told attempts to buy the land by coming to an agreement with landowners had failed.
The only other option would be a compulsory acquisition.
However, this would require legal assistance and a lodgment with the Coordinator-General, and this action required Council authorisation.
Councillors agreed to proceed with the compulsory acquisition if the landholders continue to refuse to sell.
- Related article: Council Plans $2.2m Bridge Spend
