Ipswich approves extra $2.2 million for Riverlink and Bradfield Bridge reconstruction

Ipswich City Council has approved an extra $2.2 million contingency for reconstruction works adjacent to Riverlink and Bradfield Bridge, as the project budget is set to exceed its current allowance.

At its 30 April meeting, council noted that contract 5554 for the Riverlink and Bradfield Bridge reconstruction works, valued at $5,651,735, plus an additional provisional sum of $2,015,417.28 and an allocated contingency of $876,417.28, would be exceeded. Councillors then approved the additional contingency funding and delegated contractual action to the chief executive officer to implement the decision.

The minutes state the extra allocation is to cover potential future variations and help ensure the works can be completed within required Queensland Reconstruction Authority funding timeframes.

For residents and businesses, the decision keeps financial backing in place for ongoing flood-recovery works in a key Ipswich area near Riverlink and Bradfield Bridge. The minutes do not set out new traffic arrangements, but identify the project area as a major works zone linked to reconstruction.

The next step is for the project to continue using the approved contingency if required, with contractual actions to be managed under the chief executive officer's delegated authority.

The same meeting also adopted other committee recommendations, including a temporary parking arrangement for Ipswich Trades Hall in the Nicholas Street Precinct Carpark and further planning steps for Amendment Package 1 affecting 81 East Street.