Ashley Meyer-Dilley says Foxlow Bridge looks unchanged from this photo, taken in 2019. Photo: Ashley Meyer-Dilley.
Queanbeyan Council has admitted it “did not engage” when planning a bridge closure.
Earlier this year, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) awarded a multi-million dollar contract for the design and construction of a replacement to a low-level causeway along Briars Sharrow Road, a 10-minute drive from Bungendore.
To allow for its construction, that bridge was shut earlier this year, while motorists were directed towards Foxlow Bridge.
But the council backflipped on this arrangement on 24 April, temporarily reopening the bridge after issues were found with the replacement route.
Briars Sharrow Road is currently closed again, while Foxlow Bridge remains closed indefinitely.
The change was put under the microscope in a community meeting held at Hoskinstown Hall this week.
For resident Samii Cochrane, the meeting left residents “disheartened” and feeling as if their worries around the closures weren’t addressed.
“They didn’t even touch base on those concerns …. I thought that was just beyond absurd. This is enough to send people crazy,” she said.
Region is aware of calls from community members who wanted the meeting livestreamed, in part because the bridge closure made it difficult for them to attend.
When asked about this, a council spokesperson said this was “not practicable” as Wednesday’s session was an “informal community meeting”.
They admitted their engagement had missed the mark.
“Council has acknowledged that it did not engage with the community for the planning phase of this project,” they said.
“We will continue to communicate and provide regular updates as it progresses and offered to attend community meetings at Hoskinstown Hall at least every six months, as we do for other rural areas.”
Notes summarising an audio recording of the meeting are set to be distributed to the community, the spokesperson added.
Ms Cochrane hit out at that decision, saying that it wasn’t good enough.
She said a group of nearby residents had turned to social media, sharing information and trying to support each other.
“All I can see right now, where I sit, is that we’re going to have to tough it out – put our heads down, shut up and deal with it.”
A since-released report recommended a full closure of the bridge as having the “lowest risk” for the council.
The condition report states that photographs and previous reports from between 2012 and 2024 show some of the damage is “new or significantly worsened”.
Its original timber truss piers were found to be “completely dilapidated at their bases”, while ‘helper’ piers were also damaged or even missing.
There is also damage to the wingwalls and approach, while there are wombat holes undermining the latter.
A further investigation is estimated to cost at least $100,000.
Resident Ashley Meyer-Dilley said the bridge’s condition was well-known.
“I think the community is scratching our heads and wondering – what is the point of trying to do consultation after the fact?
“They acknowledged that it’s in terrible condition and they had to close it – but that’s not new news.”
She said the backflip had raised questions – and anger – around what seemed to be a failure of the council’s planning.
“At the meeting, the mayor stood up and acknowledged that the consultation was not adequately done.
“I think that’s fair for the council to take responsibility for it, but I think that’s the only thing that the council is taking responsibility for.”
Once the works at Briars Sharrow Road finish, it’s hoped it will reopen in January 2027.
“Major earthworks at the Briars Sharrow site has begun, and we are working with Wodens to progress construction and finish the project in a timely manner,” the council spokesperson said of works at the site.
They also said QPRC councillors were set to discuss alternative crossings or replacing Foxlow Bridge at a May meeting.
“It was appreciated at the meeting that the closing of Foxlow Bridge which was an alternative route for light vehicles to Briars Sharrow needs to be addressed as soon as possible.”
Ms Meyer-Dilley said she was hopeful councillors would listen to their concerns, describing the meeting as having “a really disappointing outcome”.
“We’re the ones who are copping it every day, because we have to travel further, because council made this decision without consulting us … We definitely want to talk to council going forward [and] be part of that conversation.”
Updates can also be found through the Briars Sharrow Bridge upgrade or Foxlow Bridge upgrade pages on the council’s website.
