A popular bridge near Queenstown has closed indefinitely due to structural issues found during an annual inspection, the council says.
Skippers Bridge, located at Skippers Canyon, was opened in 1901 and links Queenstown to the Skippers Valley and the Mount Aurum Recreation Reserve.
The Queensland District Council said the bridge will remain closed to all vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians until further notice, after an inspection of the structure late last year found failures of the wires in the cables used to support the bridge and any load on it.
Acting general manager of property and infrastructure Roger Davidson acknowledged the impact this would have on residents, tour companies, and recreational users.
"Given the potential risk, keeping the bridge closed ensures we can keep the public as safe as possible while remediation work is considered in the future."
The council said the future of the bridge would now be considered through its annual planning process, and prioritised alongside other investment needs across the network.
Davidson urged the public to continue to abide by signage and barriers set up in the area, and warned people to not attempt to cross the bridge.
Skippers Bridge is inspected once a year due to its age and risk profile. The Queenstown District Council said other bridges in the district receive inspections at a range of times, from annually to every six years.
SHARE ME