Footbridge at popular falls set to be replaced

The existing arched timber bridge, which crosses Martins Creek near Serenity Falls, was built in the late-1980s and has reached the end of its serviceable life. 

While the bridge remains safe for public use and continues to be regularly inspected and maintained by Council, investigations have confirmed it is no longer economically feasible to maintain or repair the structure over the long term.  

As a result, it needs to be fully replaced. 

Safety, people and place 

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the bridge was an important part of one of the region's highly visited natural destinations. 

“Buderim Forest Park is a place people feel strongly about,” Mayor Natoli said. 

“For many residents, the bridge is part of a daily walk.  

“For others, it's where they take visiting family and friends, to enjoy the natural beauty of Serenity Falls or capture some of the Sunshine Coast's most iconic photographs. 

“We know this bridge is valued by our community, which is why we're inviting people to review the concept designs and tell us what they think before we progress a preferred design. 

“The bridge renewal is essential, but it's equally important that the replacement respects the character of this special place and meets the needs of those who use it.” 

The community can review the concept designs and provide feedback from 2 to 27 November 2026 via the Have your Say Sunshine Coast website. 

Over the past year, Council has undertaken environmental, technical and site investigations, along with early discussions with key stakeholders and community representatives, to inform the development of the concept designs. 

Division 7 Councillor Ted Hungerford said replacing the bridge was not as simple as swapping one structure for another. 

“This is a challenging site with environmental, cultural and construction constraints that all need to be carefully considered,” Cr Hungerford said. 

“The bridge sits within a sensitive rainforest setting, so we need a design that is safe, durable and practical, while protecting the values that make Buderim Forest Park so special. 

“Our community's feedback will provide valuable local insight as we balance those considerations and refine a preferred design.” 

Council is proposing a like-for-like replacement through its Structures Renewals Program, meaning the new bridge would remain on the same alignment and maintain the existing width.  

More resilient, low-maintenance materials suited to the rainforest environment are being considered, including composite materials, galvanised steel, aluminium and stainless steel. 

Share your thoughts 

The community can review the concept designs and provide feedback from 2 to 27 November 2026 via the Have your Say Sunshine Coast website. 

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

What's next? 

Following community engagement, Council will review the feedback from the community, refine the design and progress detailed planning. 

Subject to approvals, funding and procurement processes, construction is currently anticipated to begin from May 2027 and is expected to take approximately six months. 

For more information and to provide feedback, visit the Have Your Say Sunshine Coast website or Council's Buderim Forest Park Bridge Renewal webpage.