Preliminary works have started on rejuvenating a cantilever walkway on one of the Sunshine Coast’s most significant bridges.
A refurbishment is underway on the footway on the Bevan Henzell Bridge, which is a key connector and was named after one of the region’s development pioneers.
Councillor Terry Landsberg eagerly anticipated the $820,000 upgrade to the walkway on the eastern side of the crossing.
“This project is crucial for our community as it ensures the continued safety and accessibility of this key piece of infrastructure,” he said.
“The bridge is an important link between Golden Beach and Pelican Waters.”
Site facilities and scaffolding on the bridge were scheduled for late November and early December to prepare for the main works, to start in early to mid-January.
“These main works will involve removing the existing walkway and renewing the structural steelwork, which will be removed and renovated,” Cr Landsberg said.
“New fibre composite decking will replace the timber decking and the balustrade will be replaced.”
The cantilever walkway being refurbished is about 1.2m-wide and constructed of steel and timber.
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Walkers and riders will still be able to cross the bridge during the upgrade.
“During early works, access will remain open for walkers, runners and riders throughout the Christmas and New Year period,” Cr Landsberg said.
“Once the main works start in January, access will be maintained on the western walkway, while the eastern cantilever walkway will be temporarily closed.
“Watercraft access will not be disrupted during construction.”
The bridge was named in honour of Mr Henzell, who contributed greatly to progress in the Caloundra region.
A plaque there acknowledges its opening on December 4, 1993.
Mr Henzell was the founder of Henzell’s Real Estate, a dominant business in the region’s property scene.
He paved the way for significant development in and around Caloundra, including at Pelican Waters.
In 1970, he produced the conceptual layout for the extension of Diamond Head at Golden Beach to create a canal subdivision (Pelican Waters).
That meant building a suitable bridge to replace the old structure, which was little more than a causeway that regularly flooded.
The Henzell family applied for the first stage of their canal development in about 1982, but it would be almost a decade before things really got underway.
Bevan died in 1982 and his vision was picked up by his son Roy in partnership with Garry Waters.
About 20 blocks were produced by 1989 before the development of Pelican Waters escalated.
The resort-style suburb, which emerged from the wetlands, has become one of the Sunshine Coast’s most successful land development projects.
The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap. The company provides government organisations, architectural, construction and engineering firms, and other companies, with easy, instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning, monitoring and development projects in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
