Buderim Forest Park Bridge Renewal

Project status: planning
Estimated completion: late 2027

About the project

Sunshine Coast Council is in the early stages of planning to renew the much-loved pedestrian bridge at Buderim Forest Park.

The existing arched timber bridge was built in the late 1980s, crossing Martins Creek near Serenity Falls. After more than 40 years in a damp, shaded rainforest, the bridge has deteriorated significantly and reached the end of its serviceable life. It is no longer deemed economically feasible to maintain or repair this structure over the long term. This means the bridge must be fully replaced.

While replacement is required, the bridge remains safe for public use. It is inspected annually by Council's Bridge Team, maintained as required and undergoes cyclical specialist inspections in accordance with the Department of Transport and Main Roads Structures Inspection Manual.

We are proposing to replace it on a like-for-like basis through the Structures Renewals Program, which means the new bridge would be located on the same alignment and remain the same width. The key difference will be the use of more durable, low-maintenance materials better suited to the rainforest environment.

Have your say

Sunshine Coast Council is currently investigating two bridge types for the replacement:

Suspension/cable bridge
Steel truss bridge

Both bridge types would provide a safe, durable and fit-for-purpose pedestrian crossing. However, each offers a different experience and different opportunities for how the bridge could respond to the surrounding rainforest environment.

We're inviting our community to share feedback on the replacement of the Buderim Forest Park Bridge.

How to have your say

Review the two bridge types being considered and learn about the features and characteristics of each option
Consider what is important to you, including how the bridge will function, how it fits within the rainforest setting, and the experience it provides for park visitors
Complete the online survey and share your feedback by 27 November 2026.

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Next steps

All feedback will be considered alongside technical, environmental, cultural, maintenance, constructability and budget considerations to help inform the preferred bridge design.

Community feedback will help inform the selection and further development of a preferred bridge design.

Once a preferred design has been identified, it will progress through further design, approvals and procurement.

Regardless of the final bridge type selected, the replacement bridge will be designed to provide a safe, durable and fit-for-purpose pedestrian crossing that is appropriate for the Buderim Forest Park setting.

We will provide an update on the community engagement outcomes and preferred bridge design as the project progresses.

Why it matters

We recognise that Buderim Forest Park is a special place for many – whether it’s local to you, a cultural place, as part of a daily walk, a scenic spot for photography, or a place to bring visitors to experience nature.

We want our community to understand why the bridge needs to be renewed and what factors shape the design.
Sharing this early helps everyone know what to expect before any work starts on site.

A range of factors will influence the design:

Environmental and cultural values. We must protect vegetation, waterways and culturally sensitive areas.
Site access and construction constraints. The steep terrain, dense forest and limited space for equipment or materials make construction challenging.
Material selection. The moist rainforest environment limits what can be used. We need long-lasting, low-maintenance solutions.
Available budget. Funding will guide what can be built and the scale of the renewal works.
Community preferences. We want to understand what locals value and balance this with practical and sustainable solutions.

Timeline (subject to change)

Planning and design: Now - early 2027
Construction: May 2027 (subject to change)

Background

In 2021, Council carried out maintenance works to extend the bridge’s lifespan and allow continued public use. While these measures were successful in the short term, recent assessments confirm that replacement is now the most viable and sustainable long-term option.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does the bridge need to be replaced?

The existing arched timber bridge was built in 1985, crossing Martins Creek near Serenity Falls. After more than 40 years in a damp, shaded rainforest, the bridge has deteriorated significantly and reached the end of its serviceable life. It is no longer deemed economically feasible to maintain or repair this structure over the long term. This means the bridge must be fully replaced.

The bridge is approximately 26.5 metres long and 1.3 metres wide. We are proposing to replace it on a like-for-like basis through the Structures Renewals Program, which means the new bridge would be located on the same alignment and remain the same width. The key difference will be the use of more durable, low-maintenance materials better suited to the rainforest environment.

We are currently exploring feasible options for the replacement bridge and developing concept designs that respond to the unique setting and constraints of Buderim Forest.

Why can't Council just repair the bridge again?

Major repair works were carried out in 2021 to extend the bridge’s life. Further repairs would be costly and would only provide a short-term solution. Replacing the bridge is more cost-effective over the long term and provides a safer, more reliable structure for the community.

Will the new structure look the same as the existing bridge?

We are currently exploring feasible options for the replacement bridge and developing concept designs that respond to the unique setting and constraints of Buderim Forest.

In November 2026, we plan to share these concept options with the community and seek feedback on the proposed bridge types and design direction. This feedback, together with technical, environmental, construction, maintenance and budget considerations, will help guide the development of the preferred bridge design.

How is Council involving the community?

We are using a staged engagement approach.

During the early investigation phase, we undertook targeted engagement with key stakeholders and community representatives to provide early notification of the bridge renewal project and gather initial feedback about the site, its use and values.

This early engagement helped us better understand local considerations while preliminary site, environmental and technical investigations were being undertaken. As the project was still in its early stages, broader community engagement was not undertaken at that time.

Have your say

We are now investigating two bridge types for the replacement:

Suspension/cable bridge
Steel truss bridge

We're inviting our community to share feedback on the replacement of the Buderim Forest Park Bridge.

How to have your say

Review the two bridge types being considered and learn about the features and characteristics of each option
Consider what is important to you, including how the bridge will function, how it fits within the rainforest setting, and the experience it provides for park visitors
Complete the online survey and share your feedback by 27 November 2026.

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Community feedback, together with technical, environmental, constructability, maintenance and budget considerations, will help guide the selection and further development of a preferred design.

You can stay informed by registering to received updates for the project.

When will construction start and how long will it take?

The project remains subject to design development, approvals, budget allocation and procurement processes.

We are now progressing into the design phase, with construction currently anticipated to start from May 2027. Construction may take approximately six months, with the final timing and duration to be confirmed once the design is complete and a construction contractor has been appointed.

The construction contract will be awarded through Council's standard procurement process, with tender submissions assessed on criteria including price, capability, environmental and construction methodology, safety and local benefits.

Who can I contact if I have questions or would like to provide feedback?

You can contact the project team at: b[email protected]