The NSW Nationals in the state government will provide $290,000 to develop a memorial for the former Prince Alfred Bridge timber road viaduct at Gundagai.
Nationals Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the memorial would include two locations with tourist features to pay tribute to the former local landmark.
“The 711-metre timber bridge first built in 1896 carried traffic across the Gundagai floodplain until it was closed in 1984 and then removed last year due to public safety concerns,” Ms Cooke said.
“These memorials will celebrate the former viaduct’s heritage, cultural and social significance while creating new tourism features for Gundagai.”
Memorial features to be funded by Crown Lands will include:
• An interpretation panel with text and photos on the history of the bridge at a public viewing area off Sheridan Street overlooking the floodplain.
• A public gathering area on the floodplain off O.I. Bell Drive with recycled bridge timber used to create seating and decorative bollards, a reinstated bridge trestle, and a heritage interpretation panel with text and photos.
• 3D online model recreating the sights and sounds of the former bridge that would be accessible via a QR code on the interpretation panels.
Ms Cooke said if further funding becomes available Crown Lands will consider extra elements including wire sculpture artworks at both locations and more seating and decorative bollards.
“These memorial concepts were developed by heritage architects Conrad Gargett after almost 140 ideas were put forward by Gundagai residents to help remember the bridge,” Ms Cooke said.
Work to construct the memorials is expected to commence early 2023 following the finalisation of design works.
