PLANS for a controversial $1.27 million bridge across Eprapah Creek have been approved by council despite a developer and conservationists warning that it could cause erosion and attract anti-social behaviour.
The boardwalk was proposed about 10 years ago to allow pedestrians to cut through from the Villa World Boundary Road estate to Victoria Point shops.
Residents, conservationists and some councillors have argued that the path and bridge will cause unnecessary environmental damage to the creek and its habitat.
Villa World development manager Peter Johnson opposed the plan, offering Redland City Council his developer contribution to be reinvested elsewhere.
Mr Johnson told a council meeting today that the bridge would need piles to be driven into the creek’s bed and heavy machinery to cut away and restabilise its banks.
“It’s highly controversial and so many red flags are raised,” he said.
Mr Johnson recommended the decision be deferred for a better understanding.
The offer was refused by council planning officers, on the grounds the no-bridge option was not possible under state planning documents.
Scroll to page 19 of council’s agenda below for more.
Three courses of action were presented to council by planning officers, all of them outlining how the bridge and path build could proceed.
Cr Wendy Boglary questioned whether council could approach the government to have the bridge removed but that idea was dismissed due to the time involved.
Cr Paul Golle, who previously campaigned against the bridge on environmental cost grounds, voted against the project.
He said the debate had raged for 10 years to no avail. He said he was disappointed the bridge would go ahead.
Cr Golle said the creek was a dumping site for hoodlums and not a pristine waterway which was made out by conservationists.
Eprapah Creek Catchment Landcare Association’s president Lynn Roberts and vice president Dr John Moss told council they were greatly concerned about environmental degradation posed by the project.
“This beautiful part of the creek has very high banks on the northern side,” Ms Roberts said.
“There is no possible way a bridge can be constructed without significant damage to the creek banks and channel.”
Victoria Point resident Ian James said he was worried about anti-social behaviour caused by those using the pathway to loiter near shops.
“Council are culpable for a pathway which leads to crime,” he said.
A similar concern was raised by Cr Lance Hewlett.
Cr Paul Bishop lost a move to have the decision deferred to allow for further discussion and information.
Council officers said other approvals would need to be obtained before works could commence.
It is understood Villa World will contribute $600,000 towards the pathway works, with the balance offset against its infrastructure charges.