Radical Bay Road Restoration Works Underway

Pictured above: Member for Townsville Adam Baillie and the Road Tek crew on the Radical Bay Road. Photo Debbie Denison

Works are underway to restore road access to 3 of most loved bays on the island, Arthur Bay, Florence Bay and Radical Bay.

The former state government closed the road, without any public consultation in 2021 and access has been  limited to those who were capable of walking. Denying  the elderly, young families and the disabled, enjoyment of the area.

As part of an election promise the Crisafulli Govt  has been committed to delivering the project and the road will be reopening  to the wider community.

Access to the road will be limited during some of the repairs, with community notified and property access unaffected. Activities will be scheduled to minimise disruption and will occur entirely on Radical Bay Road.   

Acting Minister for Transport and Main Roads Sam O’Connor said the works would restore access to an important community and visitor destination. 

“The Crisafulli Government is delivering for the Townsville region and keeping our promises,” Acting Minister O’Connor said. 

“We know how important it is to act when safety concerns are identified, and that is exactly what we are doing here and across Queensland.”

Road Tek crews and heavy machinery  arrived on the island and works have  already begun.

Pictured above: Aerial view of a section of the damaged road.

Member for Townsville Adam Baillie told the MCN “ I am very pleased to annouce that the road restoration has begun.

It has been extremely  difficult for our emergency services personnel to access the area. Over the years there have been numerous incidents of emergency service vehicles being damaged, along with our personnel  having to endure  numerous hazards to assist  injured walkers.

The opening of the road to vehicles will also allow families to enjoy the beautiful beaches,  have picnics and enjoy the scenery of surrounding National Park. We are committed to delivering a safe road access for both vehicles and walkers accessing these bays."

Pictured above: The road washout between Florence Bay and Radical Bay. Photo's Debbie Denison.

The road  has not been maintained for many years, it  was severely damaged in the December ’24/ January ‘25 weather event which created a deep washout after Florence Bay, effectively cutting the road in two. (It was the same rain event which wiped out the Sooning St bridge).

The exisiting road is peppered with deep pot holes, collapsed culverts and in parts is dangerous to even traverse by foot.

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Road Tek engineers and crew will be carrying out works in various stages along the road and works with a completion date subject to weather conditions.

Pictured above: Road Tek crew member explaining works to be carried out on one of the many washouts, with island resident and MIRRA member Michael Schmidt. Photo Debbie Denison

The Magnetic Island Resident &  Ratepayers Association who have lobbied to have the road open, have welcomed the decision.

Adam Baillie went to say “There has been overwhelming support from the community to have the road open”.

There will further notices and announcements in the coming months, watch this space!

Pictured above: A section of the road leading back to Florence Bay. Photo Debbie Denison

Article: Debbie Denison