Work postponed again on the terminally delayed Bridgewater Bridge project

Work has ground to a halt on the perpetually delayed Bridgewater Bridge project after ancient Aboriginal artefacts were discovered at two sites.

Ben Moloney project director with State Growth with Federal Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King, Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure Michael Ferguson and Jane Howlett member for Prosser. Federal and state infrastructure ministers at Granton ahead of the start of the new Bridgewater Bridge. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Work has ground to a halt on the perpetually delayed Bridgewater Bridge project after ancient Aboriginal artefacts were discovered at two sites.

A stop work order was put in place after Aboriginal stone tools were discovered near the bridge during a search for European heritage items.

Infrastructure minister Michael Ferguson said work had ceased at those two sites, but work elsewhere along the bridge was continuing smoothly.

Ben Moloney project director with State Growth with Federal Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King, Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure Michael Ferguson and Jane Howlett member for Prosser. Federal and state infrastructure ministers at Granton ahead of the start of the new Bridgewater Bridge. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre’s Nala Mansell said the state government was to blame for not performing a full scale Aboriginal heritage assessment beforehand.

Ms Mansell said this was a repeat of the “Brighton Bypass Debacle” when 20 Aboriginal protesters were arrested while attempting to block work in that area.

Ms Mansell said that region was a well-known place of Aboriginal habitation, and that the government should have known this would happen.

“The State government were made aware from the early stages that the area was an ancient place of Aboriginal occupation, but ignored the evidence and went ahead with the planning approvals,’’ Ms Mansell said.

“There is a clear lack of respect and understanding of Aboriginal heritage in this state and still no legislation that allows for protection of Aboriginal heritage.”

Tasmanian Aboriginal activist said this was a repeat of past mistakes, likening it to the “Brighton Bypass Debacle”. Photo: Peter Mathew

Mr Ferguson said all of the proper protocols were followed to ensure the preservation of Aboriginal heritage.

He said the development continued “overall right on time”, with the exception of those two particular work sites.

“Aboriginal Heritage were closely involved through the major projects assessment panel,” Mr Ferguson said.

“The fact that those artefacts have been discovered demonstrates that the permit conditions have been followed appropriately and the protocols are being followed as is proper.”

The new Bridgewater Bridge has been beset by countless delays ever since funding was set aside for it more than two decades ago.

Lyons Labor MP Brian Mitchell previously declared he’d “eat his hat” if the new Bridgewater Bridge opened in late 2024.

During the final days of his premiership, Peter Gutwein insisted the new Bridgewater Bridge would open on time and Mr Mitchell would eat his words.

“My hope is that after this election, he’s a private citizen, and he can sit there quietly in his deckchair and eat his hat,” Mr Gutwein said.