Since the country has experienced a tremendous outpour of heavy rain in recent weeks and months, floodwaters have inundated many campgrounds and caravan parks.
As the floods recede, businesses have begun rebuilding and rehabilitating to get back to normal. However, water and erosion raised further long-term questions.
The Fraser Coast Chronicle newspaper reports that erosion may endanger a caravan park in Maryborough, Queensland after two significant floods ripped the banks along the Mary River over several months.
Since the waters receded, trees, as well as a large portion of the boundary fence, and the hillside, have eroded from the Huntsville Caravan Park at Tinana, where the Lamington Bridge went under.
The Fraser Coast Chronicle viewed a letter that contained an interaction between the manager of the caravan park and the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in which concerns were expressed about both the bridge and the substantial erosion near the caravan park.
“TMR is currently undertaking a detailed assessment of the recent flood damages at both the southern and northern abutments of the bridge,” the letter from TMR to Huntsville Caravan Park manager Barry Chapman said.
“Once completed, the necessary remedial works will be undertaken to address any damages on TMR assets and corresponding areas within our jurisdiction.”
The letter said that the Lamington Bridge first sustained damage during the 2013 floods, following significant rain pouring on the Wide Bay region when ex-tropical tropical cyclone Oswald struck.
“TMR completed remedial works to address the major scouring and erosion on the southern road and pedestrian bridge abutments after this event,” the letter said.
“Subsequent inspections of the bridge and the abutment, undertaken as part of its periodic inspection program over the intervening period, have indicated no issues with stabilization of the southern abutments or adjacent banks since undertaking these flood damage treatment works.”
The Fraser Coast Chronicle said that the TMR letter clarified that the poor conditions of the riverbank’s soil, along with the significant rainfall event, could be the primary cause for the vegetation being washed away.
“The bridge which was constructed over 100 years ago and is a low-level structure designed to be overtopped,” the letter said.
“Due to the volume of impacts across the road network during the most recent rain events, there is no time frame for delivery of the upcoming remedial works.
A Department of Environment and Science Department spokesperson told the newspaper that the work was being done with local environmental management groups. It includes the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee, and the Burnett Mary Regional Group, finding projects addressing the environmental impacts of the floods.
The Fraser Coast Chronicle said they reached out to Chapman, but he could not provide further information.
Alongside the flooding rivers, ongoing coastal erosion has been a constant threat to some of Australia’s iconic beachfront caravan parks, as per a report.
This article originally appeared on The Grey Nomads.