HO66 - Bridge over Toolern Creek
Bridge Road MELTON SOUTH, MELTON SHIRE
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
The Bridge Road Bridge is an early (1913) and relatively intact example of a concrete girder bridge built by Sir John Monash for the Shire of Melton. It was built to provide railway station access to the new farming areas being opened by the break-up of the pastoral estates, in particular the Closer Settlement Board's Exford Estate. Its setting in a deep gully enhances its aesthetic significance.
The Bridge Road Bridge is aesthetically and technically significant at a LOCAL level (AHC F1). It is an early, moderately intact example of a reinforced concrete girder bridge in Victoria. It is a fine intact example of (later Sir) John Monash's functionalist approach to bridge-building in reinforced concrete as the most economical way of providing a permanent structure on country roads. It is dates to the formative period in concrete beam and slab construction, which became widespread in the 1910s and 20s.
The Bridge Road Bridge is historically significant at a LOCAL level (AHC A4, B2, H1). It was designed and built by prominent Australian John Monash, and the Reinforced Concrete & Monier Pipe Construction Company. The bridge is also significant as the major expression in Melton of the public works associated with the new farming era associated with the break-up of the Shire's vast pastoral estates, and in particular with the extensive work of the Closer Settlement Board. More generally the bridge is an excellent example, in period engineering style, of the early twentieth century policy of building bridges to connect farms with railway stations, and in particular the demand for such roads and bridges by the farmers on newly subdivided pastoral estates.
Overall, the Bridge Road Bridge is significant at a LOCAL level.
-
-
HO66 - Bridge over Toolern Creek - Physical Description 1
Physical Description -
The bridge is a high, two span reinforced concrete girder bridge, carrying Bridge Road across a deep gully in Toolern Creek.
It has two slender, high piles, linked by a transom about half way up, and which sit on a strip footing. Its spans are each 9.14 metres long, and used three girders to make an overall width of 3.66 metres.[1]
The bridge slopes up from a northern approach with a long embankment to a high southern bank of the stream, which constitutes the abutment of the bridge.
In 1995 major repairs were carried out to the bridge, including the placement of a reinforced concrete overlay 80 millimetres thick on the deck, extensive patching of cracks, and the replacement of the old timber handrail with steel guardrails.[2]
[1] Alves et al, op cit, p. 116
[2] ibid, p.117
HO66 - Bridge over Toolern Creek - Historical Australian Themes
Shire of Melton Historical Themes: Transport; Farming
HO66 - Bridge over Toolern Creek - Integrity
Integrity - Moderately intact
Although the bridge's integrity has been reduced by strengthening of its deck and replacement of its timber handrails with steel guardrails, its essential essential form and detailing are preserved.
HO66 - Bridge over Toolern Creek - Physical Conditions
Physical Condition - Good
Heritage Study and Grading
Melton - Shire of Melton Heritage Study phase 2
Author: David Maloney, David Rowe, Pamela Jellie, Sera Jane Peters
Year: 2007
Grading:
-
-
-
-
-
TOOLERN CREEK HOMESTEAD REMAINSVictorian Heritage Inventory
-
ATHERSTONE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX REMAINSVictorian Heritage Inventory
-
HO71 - Melton South State School No. 3717Melton City
-
"1890"Yarra City
-
"AMF Officers" ShedMoorabool Shire
-
"AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOLVictorian Heritage Register H1687
-
'NORWAY'Boroondara City
-
1 Mitchell StreetYarra City
-
-