A REDESIGN of the River Heart Parklands is expected later this year, but Ipswich City Council is unable to give any answers on a project timeline or starting date.
The parklands have remained closed to the public since the 2022 floods, partially re-opening last year before being closed again after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Following the February and May 2022 flood events, Council advertised for tenders to restore the timber boardwalks and overwater structures. No submissions were received and subsequently Council failed to start any work.
Council then made the decision to demolish the boardwalk structures in June last year, citing damage from seven flood events.
About $300,000 was budgeted to remove over-water walkways, lookouts and support structures. A further $350,000 was originally budgeted for rehabilitation and landscaping, before damage from the recent rain events.
The banks of the Bremer River in the parklands were damaged during heavy rains in December last year.
In February, ex-Tropical Cyclone Afred caused further damage and land slippage.
Work on temporary stabilisation started late last month and is now complete.
River Heart Parklands was developed jointly by the State Government and Ipswich City Council at a cost of $4.5 million and opened in 2007.
Stage 2 of the project cost $7 million, with $3.4 million Federal funding and $3.6 million from Council.
Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee Chairman Andrew Antoniolli said the current works were temporary, designed to make the area safe and minimise the risk of further erosion until permanent rectification works could take place.
“Redesign works are underway to understand the extent of the works needed to permanently stabilise the area,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“The redesign is expected to be finalised later this year.”
Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle said safety was Council’s top priority, and the parklands would remain closed for an “extended period” until it was deemed safe to reopen.
