Community & Business
8 April, 2025
Hemmings bridge works cancelled
A PLANNED $460,000 upgrade of the approaches to the Hemmings Lane bridge will not be going ahead.
The upgrade was scheduled by Tablelands Regional Council to improve truck access but was criticised by some of the landholders who live along the road, saying it was not necessary, would only benefit a nearby tourist operation and that it would put Mabi forest in jeopardy.
The project would have widened or realigned the road on the southern side of the bridge and improved the road surface on the northern side of the bridge.
Council was advised that environmental and design investigations had identified that the works would require some vegetation clearing, but because it contains “critically endangered” tropical Mabi rainforest, council would have had to gain permission from State authorities.
Council was also facing challenges due to cultural heritage sites adjacent to Hemmings Lane which are considered to be of “high significance” and was advised that there was a high probability of additional cultural heritage finds during any ground disturbance or vegetation clearing.
As a result, council made the decision not to go ahead with the project.
