Vital transport link officially opens with ribbon cutting ceremony

Works to replace a vital bridge at Carpendale that services one of the Lockyer Valley’s largest employers are now complete.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Tanya Milligan officially opened the brand new $6.88 million Mahon Bridge on Carpendale Road today.

Mayor Milligan said she was grateful to see the important project finalised.

“The process to secure funding to replace Mahon Bridge was considerable, and it took a team effort to see it realised,” she said.

“As a small Council, we could not have funded this project alone, so we are extremely grateful to the Albanese Government for providing the funding to make this project a reality and want to thank Stanbroke and the Local Government Association of Queensland for their advocacy of this important community project.”

The Mahon Bridge replacement was Council’s single largest capital works project of 2024-25.

Queensland Senator Corinne Mulholland said the project involved demolishing the old bridge and constructing a new 43-metre concrete bridge crossing Flagstone Creek.

“The need to act here was clear, not only in terms of community safety but also in terms of connectivity, especially for workers trying to get to Stanbroke’s meat processing plant in Grantham,” she said.

“So the Albanese Government was happy to contribute nearly $5 million to make this critical $6.88 million project a reality for Lockyer residents.”

Infrastructure Portfolio Councillor Michael Hagan said construction of the new bridge, which began in January 2025, would have long-lasting benefits for the local economy and residents.

“The previous bridge sustained damage during the 2013 floods, and as a result, it was reduced to a single lane and given a 42.5 tonne load limit,” Cr Hagan said.

“Twelve years later, we once again have a two-lane bridge that can carry heavy vehicles to and from one of the major businesses in our region, supporting hundreds of local jobs, and which residents can conveniently and safely cross.

“The number of trucks travelling alternative routes will be significantly reduced, which will come as a huge relief for impacted residents and businesses.”

Stanbroke Operations Manager Jim Friis welcomed the new bridge.

“From Stanbroke’s point of view, this new bridge ticks a lot of boxes, not just for us but the community too,” Mr Friis said.

“During times of flood, we can now get our people safely in and out, and from an animal welfare perspective, we can get the cattle out during a flood event as well.

“The new bridge is far safer, it provides much clearer vision when entering and exiting, and it means there are two entries in and out of the factory, which makes traffic management much easier.”

The project was made possible after Council applied for funding under the Australian Government’s former Bridges Renewal Program, now the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program (SLRIP).