Welcome to the Springbrook Community page where all the Gold Coast Springbrook Road information from the 2021/22 March Monsoon and September Squall and subsequent road closure is being collated.
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| 10th March 2022 |
As information comes to hand, we will update this page in chronological order creating an archive of information.
For project updates email gcspringbrook@mcilwain.com . For up-to-date traffic and road condition information, call 13 19 40, visit www.qldtraffic.gov.au or download the QldTraffic app.
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| Drone image of the major slip April 2022. Image courtesy of TMR |
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December 2023
Dear Springbrook Mountain Community
We are proud to announce that on Thursday 21 December 2023 at 3pm the closed section of Gold Coast-Springbrook Road will reopen to road users ahead of schedule!
Since the road closure in March 2022, extensive stabilisation and repair works have occurred to enable the 10-kilometre closed section to be reopened. This has included installing over 1700 soil nails to stabilise slopes above and below the road. See images below showing before and after photos at four of the major sites.
Restoration works will continue in 2024 on the reopened Gold Coast-Springbrook Road, with stop/slow traffic conditions and sections with a reduced speed limit of 40km/h in place for the safety of road users and work crews. Work will also be undertaken at night with some overnight road closures required. This is necessary to complete restoration work on minor sites that sustained damage during events between February and May 2022.
Works will pause for the summer holiday period on Friday 22 December 2023 and will resume Monday 8 January 2024. During this period, the road will be open with no traffic restrictions in place.
We will resume communication with you in January 2024 regarding the traffic conditions but in the meantime, TMR wishes you a safe and happy holiday season.
TMR would like to thank the Springbrook community for their patience and support during these critical restoration works on Gold Coast-Springbrook Road.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact the project team at gcspringbrook@mcilwain.com.
Yours Sincerely
Customer and Stakeholder Management
Department of Transport and Main Roads
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August 2023
Dear Springbrook Mountain Community
Please find below an update on the natural disaster repair works underway.
Springbrook Local Heritage
During works we have been careful to preserve remnants of Springbrook’s local heritage that are a historical and cultural feature of the original road.
A heritage-listed dry-stone culvert headwall dating back to the 1960s has been removed and reconstructed by hand, one stone at a time, as part of reconstruction works along Gold Coast-Springbrook Road (see photos below).
Gold Coast-Springbrook Road is heritage listed for many reasons, including:
- It was important in the consolidation and expansion of the Springbrook region and providing access to Springbrook National Park.
- The trough and water fountain are remnants of an earlier use of the road when horses were used for transport.
- It is understood that this road was the first in Queensland to be successfully constructed using a steep gradient of 1 in 12, and in parts, 1 in 10.
- Aesthetic qualities where natural rock formations and vegetation are interconnected with evidence of man-made cuttings and road construction.
As part of the reconstruction works and to allow installation of drainage pipes, the dry-stone culvert headwall was mapped, coded and photographed before it was dismantled and stored carefully for later reconstruction. The original stones were then hand placed by a stonemason, restoring the heritage-listed dry-stone culvert headwall to its original configuration. The new pipes will help disperse large quantities of water during heavy rain.
Additionally, construction crews have been very careful to preserve the water trough near one of the major slip sites.
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Photo 1: (left to right) Dry-stone culvert headwall with new pipes, new drainage pit and preserving the water trough. |
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Main Slip Site (Site 1) Milestone The project recently reached a major milestone with the last of about 300 soil nails installed on the upslope at the main slip (Site 1). Grout scaling and mesh installation is now underway on the upslope. The contractor, McIlwain, is also working on the downslope. This includes shotcreting and the installing rock mattresses (rocks encased in mesh to prevent erosion). Once slope stabilisation works have finished, pavement and asphalting works will begin on the road. |
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Photo 2: Soil nailing crew at the main slip site (site 1) |
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Nerang-Murwillumbah Road High Risk Road Project Safety improvement works are continuing along Nerang-Murwillumbah Road at the Narrowleaf Road intersection throughout September. Works at Bochow Park commenced on 28 August 2023 and will continue throughout September 2023. |
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TMR will provide you with another update for Gold Coast-Springbrook Road next month. You can contact the project team at gcspringbrook@mcilwain.com for further information.
Please be assured, we are committed to restoring safe access to the closed section of Gold Coast–Springbrook Road in early 2024.
Yours Sincerely
Customer and Stakeholder Management
Department of Transport and Main Roads
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July 2023
Dear Springbrook Mountain Community
Our work crews are very fortunate to be undertaking road restoration in such a beautiful part of the world.
Our contractors have encountered local flora and fauna including species that are considered to be conservation significant under State and Commonwealth legislation.
Koalas, Carpet Pythons and a giant earthworm are just a few examples of the creatures spotted on site along with endangered plants, Scrub Turpentine and Shiny Plectranthus, which have been identified during regular environmental inspections.
To emphasise the importance of preserving the local flora and fauna, talks have been held to provide information to workers on site of the responsibility to ensure the protection of native vegetation and wildlife and to ensure we minimise our impact during reconstruction works. Weekly inspections by our environmental officers are also conducted to check on the conservation of endangered species which have been identified on site.
Gold Coast-Springbrook Road, Mudgeeraba
Reconstruction works on Gold Coast-Springbrook Road between Berrigans Road and Monaro Road in Mudgeeraba commenced in late June. Works will be undertaken between 7am and 5pm weekdays. Temporary traffic lights are now in place with five-minute holds required until works are completed at the end September 2023, weather permitting.
Pine Creek Road
Slope stabilisation works, approximately 500 metres after the Nerang-Murwillumbah Road intersection, will commence on Monday 31 July 2023. This section of Pine Creek Road will be reduced to one lane between 7am and 5pm with speed restrictions and temporary stoppages of up to five minutes in place to ensure the safety of workers and motorists during work hours.
From Monday 7 August 2023, a speed reduction and 24-hour lane reduction will be in place until October 2023.
Temporary traffic signals will be in use and directional signage in place to direct motorists when the road is operating under reduced lanes and speed limits.
Additional slope stabilisation work on Pine Creek Road near the intersection of Gold Coast-Springbrook Road is progressing and is expected to be complete in early August 2023.
Please be assured the project team is committed to restoring safe access to the closed section of Gold Coast-Springbrook Road in early 2024. Once reopened, stop/slow traffic conditions will be in place while restoration works continue at other sites along the road.
TMR will provide you with another project update in August 2023, in the meantime please contact us at gcspringbrook@mcilwain.com for further information or ideas for our next community update.
Thank you for your continued patience during these works.
Yours Sincerely
Customer and Stakeholder Management
Department of Transport and Main Roads
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Photo 1: Koala, python and giant earthworm at Springbrook. |
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Photo 2: Scrub Turpentine (critically endangered), Shiny Plectranthus (endangered) and flora inspecting. |
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Weather, site and contractor conditions can impact works, delaying start and finish schedules.
For more information
Phone 13 19 40, visit the QldTraffic website or download the QldTraffic app for the latest road condition information.
Assistance will be provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
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June 2023
Dear Springbrook Mountain Community
Please find below an update on the natural disaster repair works.
Gold Coast-Springbrook Road.
With the height of the larger landslips at Gold Coast-Springbrook Road ranging from 30 to 70 metres, transporting materials to the top of the slips is no easy feat.
To achieve this, helicopter lifts have been required to deliver slope stabilisation mesh to the top of the mountain so they can be applied to the slope face.
Last month a helicopter helped carry 36 rolls of mesh weighing approximately 230kg each to the slope faces of Sites 1, 8 and 9. In total, over eight tonnes of steel mesh were lifted from Little Nerang Dam to the three Springbrook sites.
An experienced pilot proficient in low-level flying, mountainous terrain and long lines/external sling loads was necessary to carry out each successful lift. The same pilot undertook the same type of material lifts when reconstruction works took place on Tamborine Mountain Road (The Goat Track) last year.
With Mother Nature on our side, we had perfect conditions for flying, resulting in the exercise being completed in one day. It was all hands on deck with experienced ground crews coordinating the rigging and detaching each mesh roll as it was delivered by the helicopter.
Pine Creek Road
Slope stabilisation on Pine Creek Road has commenced with soil nailing, fibrecreting and mesh installation being undertaken between 7am and 5pm weekdays. Temporary traffic lights are now in place with five-minute holds required until works are completed at the end July 2023, weather permitting.
Nerang-Murwillumbah Road
Safety improvements are continuing with the upgrade of the intersection of Nerang–Murwillumbah Road and Narrowleaf Road. Works include the installation of a channelised right turn lane, pavement widening, new guardrail, signage, line marking, drainage improvement works and batter slope treatments. This is due for completion at the end of 2023. These works are funded through the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program. For further information or enquiries related to this road safety project please contact 1800 965 196.
TMR will provide you with another project update in July 2023, in the meantime please contact us at gcspringbrook@mcilwain.com for further information. Thank you for your continued patience during these works.
Yours Sincerely
Customer and Stakeholder Management
Department of Transport and Main Roads
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Photo 1: Helicopter delivering mesh at the main slip site |
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Photo 2: Helicopter delivering mesh at the main slip site |
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Weather, site and contractor conditions can impact works, delaying start and finish schedules.
For more information
Phone 13 19 40, visit the QldTraffic website or download the QldTraffic app for the latest road condition information.
Assistance will be provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
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May 2023
Dear Springbrook Mountain Community
It has been a little over a year since Gold Coast-Springbrook Road was closed to motorists after multiple landslips occurred following consecutive rainfall events in early 2022. Further rainfall damage also occurred in September 2022.
Since commencing works, a substantial amount of slope stabilisation and reconstruction works have been undertaken at multiple sites on Gold Coast-Springbrook Road, all having suffered damage during record weather events.
Earlier this month we welcomed eight members of the Springbrook Mountain Community Association on site to take a look at the progress of works and ask questions.
Of particular interest was the main slip site, where members were able to watch the ongoing soil nailing being undertaken. This site is approximately 70% complete with 190 soil nails out of a planned total of approximately 270 drilled into the slope for stabilisation. About half the rock catch mesh has been installed. Over all of the project sites, more than 800 soil nails have been installed, with approximately 400 more to go.
Road safety is the highest priority for the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), and the department is committed to restoring full and safe access to the closed section on Gold Coast–Springbrook Road by early 2024, weather permitting.
In May 2022, TMR publicly released a community update and media statement that Gold Coast–Springbrook Road is expected to be closed for 18 months to two years. We are pleased to report that we are on track to reopen the road within this timeframe.
While we are making good progress, it is not yet safe to reopen the road to the public due to the risk of further rockfalls and the safety of the workers onsite.
If you would like more information on any of the work underway, please email our contractor McIlwain at gcspringbrook@mcilwain.com.
We look forward to providing you another update in late June 2023.
Yours Sincerely
Customer and Stakeholder Management
Department of Transport and Main Roads
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Gold Coast-Springbrook Road site conditions |
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Photo 1: Site 8 landslip on Gold Coast-Springbrook Road and the Spider Rig in action
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April 2023
Dear Springbrook Mountain Community,
Slope stabilisation works are ongoing on Gold Coast-Springbrook Road and are nearing completion at some sites.
In this month’s update the focus is on Site
8 which experienced a significant landslip following heavy rainfall in
February and March 2022 (photo 1)
This site required the clearing of debris and soil nailing to stabilise the slope. However, the difference with Site 8 is that the majority of works have been undertaken by a new piece of machinery, referred to as a Spider Rig (photo 2).
This piece of machinery can be suspended across the slope face to perform necessary works via an operator in the rig’s cabin. It has the ability to drill soil nails at a significantly faster rate than manual rigs and can provide real time information on each hole drilled, including depth and angle.
The Spider Rig is secured by steel wires that are anchored at the top of the slope and can traverse the slope by “walking” into position before drilling the next hole.
The Spider Rig and manual drilling rigs have already installed 200 of the 350 soil nails that are required at this site.
When the soil nailing activity is complete, mesh will be installed, and shotcrete will be sprayed to stabilise the slope. These works are expected to be completed in late May 2023, weather permitting.
Works on the main slip site are ongoing. While we are making good progress, it is not yet safe to reopen the road to the public due to the risk of further rockfalls.
If you would like more information on any of the work underway, please email our contractor McIlwain at gcspringbrook@mcilwain.com
We will provide you with another project update in May 2023.
Yours Sincerely
Customer and Stakeholder Management
Department of Transport and Main Roads
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Photo 1: Site 8 landslip on Gold Coast-Springbrook Road |
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Photo 2: The Spider Rig |
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Photo 3: The Spider Rig in use
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March 2023
Dear Springbrook Community Members
Works are progressing well to restore Gold Coast–Springbrook Road. In this update we explain how we stabilise slopes and some of the processes involved with this road reconstruction project.
Slope stabilisation is a key component of our natural disaster reconstruction works. After landslips like the ones that occurred on Gold Coast-Springbrook Road, the site first needed to be made safe, then cleaned up before repairs can start. Slope stabilisation works are undertaken to make sure that future landslips are less likely to occur at the site.
During the record rainfall event in February and March 2022, a 70-metre landslip occurred and completely covered a section of Gold Coast-Springbrook Road with 2500 tonnes - which equates to over 200 truckloads - of debris (photo 1). This major landslip site is one of 12 sites that were impacted by natural disaster events between February and May 2022.
After assessing the situation, making the area safe and clearing away the debris from the road, we commenced the stabilisation process at this major landslip site by securing anchors at the top of the slope which allowed abseilers to safely clear away loose rock and soil debris - this is known as scaling.
Scaling is undertaken to prepare the surface for soil nailing. This is where metal rods (soil nails) varying in length from 6 to 12 metres are drilled into the slope (photo 2). There are approximately 250 soil nails required to be drilled at the main slip site on Gold Coast-Springbrook Road.
When the soil nail reaches the required depth, grout is inserted so that the soil nail is fixed into place and cannot move.
Once soil nailing is complete, a mesh blanket will be installed followed by the spraying of a special seed mixture which will revegetate the face of the slope.
Works at this major landslip site are progressing well. We have already installed 135 of the 250 soil nails and mesh has been applied to the top half of the slope.
When upslope works have finished, downslope works (below road level) including soil nailing, mesh installation and shotcreting will be undertaken. The final stage of work includes resurfacing the road.
If you would like more information on any of the work underway, please email our contractor McIlwain at gcspringbrook@mcilwain.com
We will provide you with another project update in April 2023.
Yours Sincerely
Customer and Stakeholder Management
Department of Transport and Main Roads
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Photo 1: Main slip site on Gold Coast-Springbrook Road |
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Photo 2: Marini rigs used for soil nailing
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February 2023
Dear Springbrook Community Members
Since the last Springbrook Mountain Community Association visit in November 2022, we have commenced working on Sites 9B, 11A, 12 and 14 on Gold Coast–Springbrook Road.
With favourable weather in January 2023, work is progressing well at each site and will continue for the rest of the year. While we are making good progress, it is not yet safe to reopen the road to the public due to the risk of further rockfalls.
Below is a brief status of each site:
- Sites 1 (see photo) and 2 are progressing with drilling of soil nails and the installation of erosion control matting and steel wire mesh to catch any future fallen rocks.
- Sites 8, 9C, 11A and 12 (see photo) are progressing with the drilling of soil nails.
- Site 9 stabilisation works are now complete.
- Site 9B has commenced with scaling works.
- Site 10 stabilisation works are now complete.
- Site 11 is preparing for the installation of shotcrete with slope reinforcement and rock mattresses for erosion control now installed.
- Site 14 is progressing with the installing a rock mattress for erosion control.
We will continue performing reconstruction works as quickly and safely as possible and understand the community’s desire to have Gold Coast-Springbrook Road reopened as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you would like more information on any of the work underway, please email our contractor McIlwain at gcspringbrook@mcilwain.com
We will provide you with another project update in March 2023.
Yours Sincerely
Customer and Stakeholder Management
Department of Transport and Main Roads
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Photo of progress made at Site 1 |
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Photo of progress made at Site 12 |
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December 2022
Dear Springbrook Community Members
As we bring the year to a close, the project team would like to take this opportunity to provide you with an end-of-year update on reconstruction works at Gold Coast-Springbrook Road.
During the site visits in June and November 2022, attending members observed significant works along the road since being affected by multiple landslips at the start of the year with additional slips in September.
Slope stabilisation works at Sites 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 9C, 10 and 11 are at various stages of progress and will continue into next year.
Specifically:
- Site 9 is almost complete with the mesh on the upslope now installed and the hydroseeding expected to be installed prior to the Christmas close down (see photo).
- Site 1 is also progressing with a total of 85 soil nails now installed in the upslope area.
- Site 8 is progressing well with soil nailing underway.
- Site 9C has now commenced the installation of soil nails (see photo).
Works will finish for the Christmas break on Friday 23 December and will resume Monday 9 January. During this period, current traffic arrangements will remain in place.
This will be the final update for 2022 and I would like to thank you for your continued support while we endeavour reconstruct Gold Coast-Springbrook Road.
We will resume communication with you in February but in the meantime TMR wishes you a safe and prosperous festive season.
Yours Sincerely
Customer and Stakeholder Management
Department of Transport and Main Roads
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Photo of progress made at Site 9 |
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Photo of progress made at Site 9C
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October 2022
Dear SMCA members,
As you would be aware, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is currently undertaking disaster repair and reconstruction works on Gold Coast-Springbrook Road (between Neranwood Park and Pine Creek Road).
In June 2022, TMR hosted members of the Springbrook Mountain Community Association (SMCA) to witness the sheer extent of the road damage that had occurred by disaster events from 22 February to 20 May 2022. Members of the SMCA were provided resources onsite which included frequently asked questions (FAQs) and a major and minor impacts map of Gold Coast–Springbrook Road. Please find the updated community resources attached. SMCA members will be invited to return onsite in late October 2022 guided by TMR to view a six-monthly progress. We will be in touch in the coming weeks to organise the details of the site visit shortly.
Subscribe for project updates by emailing gcspringbrook@mcilwain.com. For the latest traffic and travel information, please:
· visit the website: www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au
· download the QldTraffic app
· call 13 19 40 to report a road incident, hazard, pothole or a signal fault
· follow TMR on Facebook and Twitter
We thank you for your patience and support as we continue disaster repair and reconstruction works on Gold Coast–Springbrook Road.
Assistance will be provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Customer and Stakeholder Management Team
for Andrew Wheeler
Acting Regional Director | South Coast RegionProgram Delivery and Operations Branch | Infrastructure Management and Delivery | Department of Transport and Main Roads
On the 8th of May 2022, members of the Springbrook Community were invited to visit the road and see the repairs, meet the workers and ask questions. It was very informative and we could see for ourselves that the road will take a long time to fix. Hopefully not two years but it certainly wont be open in less than one. There are currently 15 major sites and 150 minor sites in a 10km length of the road.
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| Community Road Visit 8 May 2022 |
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| Community Road visit 8 May 2022 |
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| Community Road visit 8 May 2022 |
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| Community Road visit 8 May 2022 |
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| Community Road visit 8 May 2022 |
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06 June 2022
Link to BoM's Special Climate Statement about the 2021/22 rainfall events:
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/
Link to TMR's website South East Queensland 2022 flood reconstruction works information:
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/south-east-queensland-2022-flood-reconstruction-works
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| South Coast TMR major works sites 2021/22 weather events |
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| Springbrook Road work sites map. |
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| Minor slip Thursday May 26th |
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| Minor Slip Thursday May 26th |
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May 18th 2022
Dear Springbrook Community Members,
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is continuing to undertake emergency works across the South Coast Region's state-controlled network to repair damage caused by recent heavy rainfall events this month, in February and in March 2022.
As you would be aware, TMR is currently undertaking emergency works at Gold Coast-Springbrook Road at the major landslip site. These works include emergency upslope stabilisation activities involving crews on ropes scaling loose material from the upslope landslip area. The recent wet weather has caused further damage along Gold Coast-Springbrook Road with another major landslip occurring within the closed section of Gold Coast-Springbrook Road.
Ongoing assessments have confirmed the extent of damage at the major landslip site located within the one-way section of the road is far worse than originally anticipated and will require an extensive works program and an extended closure between Neranwood Park and Pine Creek Road. While it is too early to say exactly how long the closure will be required, it could be in place from 18 months to 2 years. Unfortunately, a side track is not possible at this location due to the geotechnical constraints of the site and the sheer extent of the damage. Access to and from Springbrook will be maintained via Pine Creek Road.
The emergency works and reconstruction will involve major scaling activities and stabilisation works. Once the upslope area is stabilised, further assessments and restoration work will be needed on the road and downslope area. We will continue to keep you updated as works progress.
For project updates email gcspringbrook@mcilwain.com . For up-to-date traffic and road condition information, call 13 19 40, visit www.qldtraffic.gov.au or download the QldTraffic app.
We understand the impact of road closures to local residents and businesses in these areas and thank you for your patience. We encourage the community and businesses to register for updates as our recovery work progresses in response to the natural disaster.
Assistance will be provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Customer and Stakeholder Management
Department of Transport and Main Roads
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