Kirwans Bridge - Kirwans Historic Bridge
Kirwans Bridge, which is heritage listed, is the longest surviving timber bridge in Victoria.
The information sign at the site says:
The construction of Goulburn Weir in the late 1880's meant that water was no longer confined to the Goulburn River channel. New wetlands and backwaters were created upstream of the weir. The wider river meant that the almost new Kettels Bridge, built to replace Kettels Punt, no longer served its cross-river purpose. Waranga Shire on the west bank led the construction of a new bridge, named after the Kirwan family who held land along the river. Kirwans Bridge was opened in 1890 to link mining, farming and forestry activities near Waranga Shire's Bailieston and Whroo, to Nagambie, headquarters of the east bank's Goulburn Shire.
The 291 piles and indeed the whole of the bridge were positioned during 1890, a fine achievement. Construction, contracted to noted Shepparton bridge builders James Dainton and James Hesford, was hampered by the failing search for bedrock near the deepest part of the river. The planned alignment had to be altered during construction, creating the unique bend. 9000 pounds is understood to be the cost.
Folklore attributed the bend to a dispute between engineers from the two Shires; a colourful yarn lacking in fact! However, minutes of Council meetings of both Shires show decades of disputes and claims that bridge maintenance was being neglected by the other Shire. Both had agreed to share responsibility.
Decking, railing and surfacing (asphalt and gravel on occasions), all required regular attention. The most serious repairs last century followed major flood damage in 1916, after water flowed OVER the decking! Several piles were replaced, each of length 55 feet (16.7 metres). In 1955, the second traffic lane was abandoned, retaining space for the two vital passing bays. Goulburn Shire requested private donors to contribute to the Country Roads Board works to retain the bridge. More than 50 subscribers gave almost 1300 pounds to help keep the bridge open in 1956. This was to be the first of three community campaigns.
At 310 metres, the longest timber bridge in Victoria is significant for its strutted-corbel design in the section over the main channel. Remnants remain visible, together with the original red-gum beams. One of four surviving timber bridges over the Goulburn between Seymour and Murchison, it is protected under the Victorian heritage legislation.
Strathbogie Shire closed the bridge for several months in 2000, amid safety concerns. The local community lobbied for over two years for restoration works and repairs to be funded jointly by the Commonwealth, the State of Victoria, Shire of Strathbogie and Heritage Victoria. These works were finally completed in 2004, prompting local celebrations at the re-opening on 11 September. A load limit raised to 13-tonne enabled crossing by the local fire-truck when full of water. These repairs cost $790,000.
In 2010, the contractors who did the repairs six years earlier inspected the bridge. They recommended further works estimated to exceed $1.2 million. Fearing the worst, a local Kirwans Bridge Action Group campaigned statewide to raise awareness and to obtain priority combined government attention. Strathbogie Shire Council voted unanimously for closure in June 2010.
The Action Group then raised funds to pay for a "second opinion", finding respected bridge engineer Peter Yttrup, who proposed a treatment for the critical timbers with expected 30-year efficacy, and costing less than $100,000. The bridge was unavailable for over 12 months but was re-opened in 2011, amid renewed community celebrations as local resident Alice Thomas, 86, cut the ribbon from her motorised scooter.
The bridge has been and remains a vital link for residents, travellers, farmers, tourists and emergency service vehicles. For all Victorians, it stands as a magnificent tribute to the original engineers, and all construction and maintenance workers since 1890. Please enjoy the view of the wetlands and respect the vehicle speed limit, for your own safety and to help preserve our historic bridge.
Snippets of History
- Until 1955, the bridge allowed two standard vehicles to meet and pass. In that same year the second lane was abandoned.
- Community fund-raising saved the bridge in 1956.
- The construction of Goulburn Weir in 1887, brought about the need for a new bridge crossing in 1889, now known as Kirwans Bridge. Beautiful granite rock was quarried from Mt. Black 25km south west of the site.
- Kettels Punt began operating in 1879 and was located about one kilometre upstream of where the bridge is now located.
- The Goulburn Weir is Australia's oldest irrigation structure - on average 91 % of water released from Lake Eildon is diverted for irrigation purposes at Goulburn Weir, with the average annual diversion being 1,768,000 megalitres.
Location
10 Kirwans Bridge Road, Kirwans Bridge 3608 Map
