Bridging the past and the future

Media Release
Teesdale

This morning, Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey and Senator The Honourable Sarah Henderson officially opened the new Wall Bridge in Teesdale.

A partnership project, Council secured a $303,500 grant from Round Four of the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Program to build the new bridge, and matched funds with $303,500 to deliver the project.

The new single-lane concrete Wall Bridge spans Native Hut Creek on Stones Road in Teesdale, linking the developed areas in the north of Teesdale to the Bannockburn-Shelford Road in the south. Benefits of the new concrete bridge include improved safety for road users, increased bridge load, and a dedicated 1.5m wide footbridge with a safety rail for pedestrians.

The original timber Wall Bridge was constructed in 1920 and the history of the 100-year-old structure has been honoured with a new interpretative sign that details the story of the original bridge, mounted on timber repurposed when the old structure was removed. Local Teesdale historian Dianne Hughes contributed to the displayed history of the bridge and joined the Mayor and Senator for the official ribbon-cutting of the sign today.

Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey says that the new Wall Bridge is a safe modern structure for the next century.

“The original Wall Bridge was a charming wooden bridge built with Red Gum timber sourced from Teesdale, and it’s remarkable to think about all the many and varied vehicles, animals and people that have passed over the creek in the past 100 years.

“Council is proud to give the Teesdale community a lasting reminder of the former Wall Bridge with this special historical sign, that will ensure the story of local Teesdale landowner John Wall and the original structure lives on.

“Council is also pleased to have partnered with the Australian Government to deliver a safe, sturdy bridge that will serve the growing community of Teesdale for the next 100 years. Replacing local infrastructure that’s reached the end of its life is important and the new concrete bridge is an improvement for all road users with a dedicated footbridge for pedestrians and safe passage for heavy vehicles including emergency vehicles to take the fastest route to their destination.”

Wall Bridge Ribbon Cutting_Council owned.jpg

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