Two towns, two rotting bridges, two very different solutions

Mitchell Shire residents have hit back at their council’s decision to spend $5.2m restoring a dilapidated heritage-listed bridge, while a neighbouring town has found a simple solution to an identical problem.

A Victorian council has been accused of making a rash multimillion-dollar decision to restore a dilapidated bridge while its neighbouring council is on its way to enacting a simple solution to a nearly identical problem.

Mitchell Shire councillors in May frustrated residents with their move to splash a huge $5.24m on restoring the crumbling heritage-listed Old Goulburn River Bridge.

The bridge is in such a bad state that it hasn’t been crossed in more than 26 years.

Residents have taken matters into their own hands, starting an online petition urging councillors to reverse their decision and redirect funds towards priority projects.

The petition has amassed close to 200 signatures.

“This decision means the community and ratepayers will face even longer waits for overdue and critical infrastructure projects in our growing towns,” petition organiser Jacqui Young wrote.

Mitchell Shire Council has frustrated residents with its decision to spend $5.2m to restore a rotting bridge

The council was seemingly unaware of its options to have the bridge removed.

Councillors remain adamant they have to uphold their legal obligation to conserve the bridge.

But they have been accused on failing to explore alternatives or consult with the community about the decision.

An hour away in Nagambie, a similar 19th rickety heritage-listed bridge also sits on the Goulburn River.

Its owner Strathbogie Council took a different approach to their obligations.

Despite its architectural and historical significance, Heritage Victoria recommended Strathbogie Council conduct an options assessment following the October 2022 floods.

Subsequently, a heritage assessment found the bridge should be demolished.

“Based on a consideration of the various risk factors including in particular condition, integrity, safety, constructability and cost … it is recommended that full or partial demolition of the structure is the only viable option moving forward,” the report stated.

“Noting that the use of the bridge as a vehicle crossing is now redundant, there are limited opportunities to adaptively reuse the bridge other than for use by pedestrians.

“Based on the severely deteriorated condition of the structure, it is considered that addressing the immediate risk to human life is a key priority.”

The Chinamans Bridge in Nagambie, pictured in 2008. Picture: Supplied

The bridge, pictured in the late 90s, has been considered a ‘risk to human life’. Picture: Supplied

The report suggested “full archival-quality photographic recording”, a 3D model and “physical interpretative signage” to acknowledge the memory of the bridge in a financially viable way.

Strathbogie administrators moved in June to demolish the bridge saying it was time to “move on”.

The council is now awaiting approval from Heritage Victoria to demolish the bridge and petitioning the state government for funds for its removal, potentially saving its ratepayers millions.

But down the road in the Mitchell Shire, demolishing the Old Goulburn River Bridge was never considered a viable option — though unlike the Chinamans Bridge, it doesn’t even have its top.

The Old Goulburn River Bridge in Seymour is set for a $5.2m facelift.

The bridge was deemed in a state of disrepair at the time it was listed in 2006.

Mitchell Shire councillor Nathan Clark has previously told the Herald Sun the council is unable to have the bridge removed from the state’s heritage list.

“It’s not within council’s ability to have items removed from the heritage list – so that’s not a possibility,” he said.

But Heritage Victoria allows anyone to apply to have an item removed from the register on its website, including the Old Goulburn River Bridge under number H0092.

Applications — though rarely approved — can be successful if they prove that an object no longer meets heritage criteria.

A destroyed item can be removed if “the Heritage Council considers that the state-level cultural heritage significance of the place or object is lost”, according to the Heritage Act 2017.

Heritage Victoria allows anyone to apply to remove an items heritage listing on its website. Picture: Supplied

Cr Clark stood by the bridge’s $5.24m restoration for its “tourism gravity”.

Mitchell Shire Council failed to provide reasons why councillors did not petition for the removal of the bridge from the heritage list, nor if councillors would reconsider the funding if the bridge was able to be removed from the list.

Acting chief executive Mary Agostino said the decision to fund the project followed “its identification as a priority by both council and the community”.

“In December 2005, council resolved to support the listing of the Old Goulburn River Bridge on the Heritage Register, subject to some amendments being made to the statement of significance relating to the condition of the bridge at the time,” Ms Agostino said.

“Since the inclusion of the bridge on the Heritage Register in 2006, council has remained committed to its preservation and restoration.

“There has been no increase in council’s bridge maintenance budget for Old Goulburn River Bridge at this stage, however this will be reviewed as the project progresses.”