Locals urge Melton Council, VicRoads, Melbourne Water to restore and protect Djerriwarrh Creek Bridge from illegal dumping

A historically significant bridge on Melbourne’s fringe has been reduced to a “horrible” and abandoned dumping ground as fed-up locals fight to restore the site to its former glory.

The Bridge over Djerriwarrh Creek is an early high sandstone road bridge, built for the Colonial government in 1858, on the Ballarat Road and is listed with Heritage Victoria as being of state historical significance. Picture: Heritage Victoria

The surrounds of a heritage-listed bridge used to provide safe passage during the gold rush have descended into a “horrible” dumping ground as locals demand authorities end the buck-passing and restore the site.

The Djerriwarrh Creek Bridge built on the outskirts of Melton in the 1850s once served as a vital link between Melbourne and Ballarat during the gold rush years, but has since fallen away to a “forgotten site” littered with furniture, burned out cars, graffiti, and waste.

The bridge, a single-arch sandstone structure which passes over Djerriwarrh Creek near the Old Western Hwy, has become a “notorious wasteland” according to locals who are now demanding action from authorities after years of illegal dumping and “neglect”.

The bridge back in the day. Picture: Heritage Victoria

Bacchus Marsh resident Lita Tirkkonen created a petition to “save” the sandstone bridge and creek noting the area’s significance and current condition.

“This site is unbelievably rich with history, it had cultural importance to the First Nations peoples, the sandstone was quarried on site, it allowed travellers to cross the river safely after a number of tragedies,” Ms Tirkkonen said.

“More recently it was a popular place for hikes and picnics … I used to take the kids down there but no families go anymore, it’s a horrible dumping ground.

Melton residents are bemoaning the current state of the area surrounding Djerriwarrh Creek and the bridge as illegal dumping is rife. Picture: Supplied

“The Melton council know of its significance, it's in their book on the region’s history, it seems like everyone wants to celebrate it but no one wants to protect it.

“We are building a community who want to fight to restore the area and we want authorities to share responsibility rather than finger-point.”

According to the Victorian Heritage Database, the bridge was built in 1858-59 along the Ballarat Rd and is of state historical significance, “demonstrating the influence of early government action to facilitate the Melbourne-Ballarat link and stimulate development along the route”.

Bacchus Marsh resident Lita Tirkkonen has established a petition to “save” the Djerriwarrh Creek and Bridge after years of illegal dumping.

In 2017, the site’s listing with the heritage register — originally in 1982 — was amended with the overlay extended to include the land surrounding the bridge, not just the structure itself.

Ms Tirkkonen’s hope is the growing community can encourage stakeholders to come together and restore the area to its former beauty.

A Melton council spokeswoman said the bridge and surrounds were managed by VicRoads, while the waterway was managed by Melbourne Water.

Residents are fed-up and tourists no longer use the area for recreational use as the site has descended into a “horrible dumping ground”.
Picture: Supplied

“Council would welcome discussions with the managing authorities about any restoration work in the area,” the spokeswoman said.

Melbourne Water head of waterway and catchment services (north west) Victoria Penko said workers had recently removed a number of cars and other debris from the waterway as part of its maintenance program.

“While we’re not the land manager at the Djerriwarrh Creek Bridge site, we’re keen to continue working with community groups and relevant authorities to safely assist in keeping the waterway clean,” Ms Penko said.

Cars are often left near the bridge with authorities such as Melbourne Water tasked with removing them when permitted by Victoria Police.

“Across our entire drainage network last year we removed 1220 cubic metres of litter and debris.”

Melbourne Water is responsible for keeping about 25,000km of Melbourne’s rivers, creeks and catchments healthy.

The Department of Transport and Planning was contacted for comment.