Experienced contractor hooked for pier project

Brisbane company Casa Engineering landed a $1.7 million contract at today’s ordinary meeting of council for the construction of the new Hospital Bridge Fishing Pier.

Mayor Greg Williamson said Casa delivered the best value tender and had extensive experience constructing bridges in challenging environments.

“They’ve completed a number of successful bridge projects, including timber bridgework upgrades of a similar scale for Noosa and the Central Highlands regional councils,” he said.

The original timber pier was damaged beyond repair by Cyclone Debbie in 2017.

The project budget includes a contribution of $1.5 million from council’s insurer.

Cr Williamson said the new pier would be accessible, decked out with features for fishers and would stand up to floods and the march of time.

“The new pier will be designed to withstand debris impacts during a major flooding event,” Cr Williamson said.

“It will have concrete piles and will be ‘L’ shaped facing downstream.”

The piles will be cast in-situ, meaning there will be reduced disturbance to the nearby hospital by the driving of solid piles.

Cr Williamson said the pier would extend 15m into the river and would then turn 90 degrees and extend a further 11m downstream.

The pier will be wheelchair accessible and will include seating and rod holders.

The tender also includes upgrades to landscaping near the pier access.

To mitigate impacts from possible flooding events, construction is expected to start later next month and be completed prior to the start of the wet season.