Two Nagambie bridges more than just a crossing

With many politicians making their election promises, tourism group Go Nagambie is utilising this consequential time as a way to champion the importance of two key bridges.

Kirwans Bridge

Kirwans Bridge is a title which denotes both a locality, and, as the name suggests, a bridge.

The structure connects the small town with Nagambie, and acts as the simplest route for residents to access the Goulburn Valley Hwy.

Following the October 2022 flood event, Strathbogie Shire Council closed the bridge.

What once was a five-kilometre drive into Nagambie from Kirwans Bridge is now 15km, and, according to Go Nagambie committee member and Kirwins Bridge local Robyn Taylor, this has put a huge financial strain on the shire.

“The shire did a vehicle count in February of 2022, and that vehicle count of Kirwans Bridge showed 530 vehicles per day, and between 3500 and 5000 cars per week,” Ms Taylor said.

“A 50 per cent reduction in daily trips into Nagambie, each averaging a modest spend of about $30 in town, has resulted in an economic loss of $3.6 million dollars in two and a half years, and that’s just the local traders.

“The economic loss is massive.”

The bridge’s significance in town, however, is thought to go beyond its contribution to the shire’s economy.

“There’s also the environmental toll,” Ms Taylor said.

“All those 530 vehicles take the long way, that’s one and a half million kilometres annually, which is like 40 trips around the earth’s equator.

“With the additional fuel, it’s something like 360 extra tonnes of C02, so that’s equivalent to planting 17,000 trees.”

Following the 2022 floods, it was ruled that the bridge was no longer suitable to hold the weight of an average car, however, when residents sought independent advice, they were told otherwise.

“The bridge did not sustain any structural damage whatsoever due to the October 2022 flood, the water went under the bridge, it didn’t go over the deck,” Ms Taylor said.

“It was only a 1.9 metre flood at Kirwans Bridge, unlike up closer to Seymour.

“After the floodwaters had receded, it could have been reopened immediately to light traffic.

“It’s so frustrating to all the locals, there’s no justification for the continued closure.”

Strathbogie Shire Council interim chief executive officer Tim Tamlin said council was in the process of coming to a decision on Kirwans Bridge.

“Council officers have met with the two engineering consultants that have previously completed assessments of the bridges to understand if there may have been any changes since the assessments were undertaken following the 2022 flooding event,” Mr Tamlin said.

“Council officers are in the process of meeting with Kirwans Bridge community members to ensure a common understanding of the current bridge condition.

“Council will consider opportunities to reopen the bridge for pedestrian traffic, subject to available funding.”

With election promises being made across the region, many Kirwans Bridge residents and Go Nagambie advocates are waiting in anticipation.

“We’re relying on the politicians’ announcements and election promises that will go towards the longevity of the bridge,” Ms Taylor said.

“Some politicians are very keen, and they recognise the importance of the bridge, so we’re looking forward to their announcements.

“We need the bridge open.”

Chinamans Bridge

Two kilometres west of the heart of Nagambie is the historic Old Chinamans Bridge, which has been closed to traffic since 1989.

Alternatively to Kirwans Bridge, the timber structure suffered irreparable damage as a result of the October 2022 floods.

In January this year, Strathbogie Shire Council received a permit from Heritage Victoria to demolish the bridge, aside from its land-based abutments.

The decision was made with the community rallying behind the proposed project, as council received over 30 submissions supporting the demolition, and, overwhelmingly, no submissions against it.

“The bridge needs to be demolished,” Go Nagambie committee member John Beresford said.

“Since the 2022 floods, council has enforced an exclusion zone around the bridge, which prevents any river traffic from effectively navigating the Goulburn River in those sections.

“The bridge has fallen into such a state of disrepair as a result of the forces of nature, and also flood damage and a lack of maintenance.

“It is literally about to collapse under its own weight, which is posing a significant risk to the safety of the public.

“There is also a serious economic impact to a lot of businesses, particularly those along the Goulburn River and within Nagambie.”

The bridge stands as an important landmark as one of the earliest entirely timber structures of its kind in Victoria.

It is believed to have been constructed, initially as a drawbridge, in 1891 during the era of river steamboats.

Listed in the Victorian Heritage Register, the demolition of the bridge requires careful consideration and a number of non-negotiable conditions.

“(Heritage Victoria is) taking a very responsible stance in the process of demolition,” Mr Beresford said.

“But all of that will come at a significant cost; it’s not just a matter of demolishing the bridge, there’s a significant process that has to take place before any demolition process even takes place.”

While council has made financial allowances towards the project, it is expected that further funding will be required due to the list of conditions it requires.

Mr Tamlin said council was in the process of planning to meet these requirements.

“Council has met with Heritage Victoria to gain an understanding of the expected level of heritage interpretation and the reuse and treatment of salvaged materials to inform any future works and specifications,” Mr Tamlin said.

“A project team is currently being established, including an engineer and heritage adviser, for approval by Heritage Victoria, which is a condition of the permit.

“It is anticipated this will be in place in the next few weeks.

“Council is also working with the State Government to confirm funding for the project.”

While the bridge holds important historical significance, the local community understands that its demolition is vital to the growth of the town.

Mr Beresford said there would be an opportunity to create a “lasting memorial” by perhaps repurposing its timbers, and this proposed monument is expected to be brought to the community before any decisions are made.

According to Go Nagambie committee members, the demolition of one bridge and the reopening of another will drastically aid the continued growth of Nagambie and surrounds.

With promises from politicians, the community is pushing forth these projects and advocating for essential funding.

“As we prepare for a federal election, we have a vital opportunity to elevate the issues that influence our livelihoods,” Go Nagambie president Mark Washington said.

“We want to ensure that our voices are heard and the future of Nagambie and its surrounding towns are built on a foundation of strong infrastructure, ample economic opportunities and interconnected communities.”