Article DetailsThree Murray River bridges added to Victorian Heritage Register |
| Date Added: August 13, 2008 05:14:00 AM |
| Author: |
| Category: Historic Heritage: Buildings and Structures |
| The Swan Hill Bridge, Tooleybuc Bridge and Barham Koondrook Bridge have all been included on the Victorian Heritage Register. The Heritage Council of Victoria decision means the three bridges will now receive State heritage protection in Victoria, as well as New South Wales. Heritage Council Chair Daryl Jackson said the majority of the bridges’ fabric was in New South Wales. “The New South Wales border extends to the high water mark of the Murray River’s southern bank, so only a small section of each bridge is in Victoria,” he explained. “The bridges were already included on the New South Wales Heritage Register. This decision simply means the small section of each bridge that is in Victorian territory will also receive State heritage protection.” Mr Jackson said that although the bridges were mostly in New South Wales territory, they played an important role in Victoria’s history. “The bridges all played a major role in facilitating trade between the two States. In fact, the Swan Hill Bridge was built when they were still colonies,” Mr Jackson said. “Designed with a central span that lifted to allow paddle steamers through, the Swan Hill Bridge was one of the most sophisticated in Australia at the time, thanks to the involvement of the influential engineer Percy Allan,” he explained. The Barham Koondrook Bridge was built in 1904 to an innovative design combining the same Percy Allan-style central lift span with the De Burgh Truss system. “This was the twelfth bridge to cross the Murray River. It is significant for the role of John Monash, one of Australia’s most important engineers and most famous soldiers.” The Tooleybuc Bridge was built in 1925, linking Piangil and Tooleybuc. It was the last of the Murray River bridges to employ central lift spans and innovative trusses. State protection means any changes to the bridges would require approval from the New South Wales Department of Planning and the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria. However, the two State Government departments would work cooperatively on any permit decisions to ensure a streamlined process between the States. Thursday 17 July 2008 |
