Neighbors demand action after crane overturns on Broadbeach construction site; contractor says Cal/OSHA and city cleared work to continue

Neighbors told City Council they fear for public safety after a crane overturned at a construction site on Broadbeach Road, temporarily closing the street and leading to an airlifted worker. Multiple speakers said heavy equipment is frequently parked near the beach and public right-of-way, that traffic and pedestrian access have been repeatedly impeded, and that prior complaints about sand removal and other alleged violations had not been resolved.

Representatives of Jilk Heavy Construction told the council the site work is permitted and was operating within approved hours; the contractor said the crane operator was evaluated and released from the hospital the same day and that JILK has cooperated with the City's community development department and Cal/OSHA investigations. "We have done a complete investigation of the incident, and we have determined a change in leadership was necessary at the site," a contractor representative said, and the company said it had replaced the superintendent and implemented additional protocols.

Residents asked the city to order a stop work on safety grounds, require a full safety and oversight review and restore the public right-of-way. Council members requested staff follow up with building-safety and code-enforcement staff and noted multiple jurisdictions may be involved (Coastal Commission, Cal/OSHA). City staff said they have been in contact with Cal/OSHA and planning staff visited the site and will continue oversight; several residents asked the council to halt work until the public right-of-way and safety issues are resolved.