Moonee meeting talks footbridge future

THE tale of the lost Moonee Creek footbridge has gathered more notoriety than the structure ever did in its 70-odd years of service.

First built in 1954 with community resources and labour, the footbridge once provided passage across Stingray Creek to Green Bluff, linking Sapphire with Moonee – a key piece in the Coffs Coast Regional Park.

In principle, it belonged to the community under management of Crown Lands and the state-run Reflections Holidays caravan park.

Locals say the trouble began in 2018, when a fallen tree was left upstream.

Over time its branches broke off, taking out one pylon then eventually three, compromising the integrity and safety of the footbridge.

The 2022 “soft” closure of the so-called “orphaned asset” left the community concerned over its future, before it was completely removed in 2024.

However, it appears the footbridge will return as promised, subject to planning and budgetary issues.

In August, the State Government announced it would partner with the Coffs Coast Regional Park Trust and Reflections Holidays to collectively fund $500,000 to undertake detailed design work and obtain planning approvals on a replacement pedestrian bridge.

On Thursday 6 November, an information meeting on site confirmed that studies to the tune of $500,000 will be conducted ahead of planned 2026/2027 construction.

Locals remain concerned over the lack of consultation and participation, the “inordinate” cost of the project and the impost of using a dinghy into the foreseeable future.

Jonathon Bradshaw told News Of The Area that residents have felt excluded from decision making on the bridge’s reinstatement.

“The close knit community of Moonee residents have been subject to some appalling decision-making without their inclusion and they have a long memory of injustice,” he said.

By Kim SATCHELL