Flood resilience the focus for new White Patch Bridge

After being washed away during the 2022 floods, White Patch Bridge on Bribie Island has been restored and improved for the community to ensure the same situation isn't repeated again.

The new two-lane bridge has been widened and raised, and will significantly increase flood resilience for the Wrights Creek crossing.

The $8.9 million project was fully funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), and delivered by City of Moreton Bay.

White Patch, which sits on the west side of Bribie looking out across Pumicestone Passage, became isolated for four days in early 2022 when the only bridge to the area was destroyed by vicious weather.

Following the bridge failure, council crews worked day and night to build a temporary causeway that served the small community well for more than two years.

With the reconstructed White Patch Bridge, locals will now enjoy greater accessibility, with a new approach road that includes connections to shared pathways.

A re-established recreation link between White Patch and Banksia Beach is a major win for local cyclists and pedestrians.

By building higher and wider, the bridge is also more resilient, with the ability to better withstand flooding, while the rehabilitation of vegetation disturbed from the floods has strengthened the surrounding environment too.

These improvements make economic sense as well by reducing future disaster impacts on the community and helping them recover faster.

The new White Patch Bridge is a shining example of all three levels of government working in partnership to recover from disasters and build better resilience into public infrastructure.

White Patch Bridge has been an important community asset for more than 60 years, and will remain so for many years to come.

With the threat of isolation eliminated, local residents can hold renewed confidence during the next major flood event in the region.