Barmah Punt recognised for State heritage significance

The Barmah Punt – the oldest surviving cable punt ferry used to cross the Murray River – has been added to the Victorian Heritage Register.

Punt ferries were once the most common form of deep river crossings in Australia. The crossing locations often became settlements, as was the case with Barmah.

Heritage Council Chair Daryl Jackson said the Barmah Punt was of State historical significance.

“This particular punt operated as a ferry crossing over the Murray River from 1929 to 1966, however the Barmah punt service dates back to before 1866,” Mr Jackson said.

“The river here was easily forded in dry weather, and the crossing led to Barmah’s development as a loading place for wool from neighbouring sheep stations,” he added.

“The punts played a vital role in facilitating intercolonial trade and communication between New South Wales and Victoria, and this punt is the oldest of its kind.”

The timber punt was built by the New South Wales Department of Main Roads when it took over the ferry operation in 1929. Two earlier punts had operated at the site.

The motorised punt ran along two cables which were anchored to each bank. The structure includes a pontoon base, engine house and gates at each end of the deck, which were closed for the safety of passengers during crossings.

The construction of the Barmah Bridge made the ferry crossing redundant and it closed in 1966. The punt is now located on the Victorian bank of the river in Jack Edwards Park, near the original crossing.

Mr Jackson said there was strong physical evidence of the ferry service at Barmah.

“As well as the punt which rests nearby, one of the anchor points is still visible on the Victorian side of the river. The approaches to the crossing are clearly visible on each side, with the Victorian approach still used as a boat ramp,” he explained.

Two local ferry crossings remain on the Murray River between New South Wales and Victoria but both of these use punts of later construction.

Thursday 17 July 2008