RAIL BRIDGE
OVER MOLLISONS CREEK, PYALONG, MITCHELL 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
What is significant?
The Rail Bridge over Mollison's Creek was constructed in 1889 by the firm of McDermott & Sons, on the Wandong-Bendigo Line, for the Victorian Railways. It is a 26-span, timber trestle bridge, with a timber deck that carries a single track over Mollison's Creek. The line was closed in 1968 and the track and timber sleepers have been removed.
How is it significant?
The Rail Bridge over Mollison's Creek, Pyalong is historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria.
Why is it significant?
The Rail Bridge at Pyalong is historically significant as an important reminder of the Wandong-Heathcote-Bendigo Railway. The line was important as it was used to supply the Bendigo mines with shaft timbers, and for the transportation of wool and sheep (BPC, 1968). It is also an example of a rail bridge constructed as a result of the 'Octopus Act' of 1884.
The bridge is architecturally significant as a notable example of timber trestle bridge construction, and demonstrates a distinctive and presently rarely used construction method, utilising the best qualities of native bush timbers. It is a typical and substantially intact example of a timber trestle bridge, using stay piles and timber longitudinal girders supporting the rail deck.
-
-
RAIL BRIDGE - History
The Rail Bridge at Pyalong is historically significant as an important reminder of the Wandong-Heathcote-Bendigo Railway, along with the similar bridge over Hansford's Creek, Pyalong. It was used to supply the Bendigo mines with shaft timbers, and for the transportation of wool and sheep (B.P.C, 1968). It is also an example of a rail bridge constructed as a result of the 'Octopus Act' of 1884. Richard Speight was one of three commissioners appointed to oversee a massive program of railway capital works. Richard Speight and Duncan Gillies, the Minister for Railways and Roads, were widely criticised for their mismanagement of the railway construction program, which resulted in huge deficits for the Government. (Harrigan, 1962) (Beeston, 1995)RAIL BRIDGE - Permit Exemptions
General Exemptions:General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions. Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.Specific Exemptions:General Conditions
1.All alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner that prevents damage to the fabric of the registered place or object.
2. Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of alterations that original or previously hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place or object, then the exemption covering such alteration shall cease and the Executive Director shall be notified as soon as possible.
3. If there is a conservation policy and plan approved by the Executive Director, all works shall be in accordance with it.
4. Nothing in this declaration prevents the Executive Director from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions.
5. Nothing in this declaration exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the responsible authority where applicable.
No permit is required for works on the deck of the bridge, the incorporated superstructure which supports the track, for the maintenance of operational and safety standards, or for any emergency works relating to the substructure and superstructure of the bridge.RAIL BRIDGE - Permit Exemption Policy
The purpose of the permit exemptions is to allow works that do not impact on the significance of the place to occur without the need for a permit. Track works and maintenance to the bridge that does not affect the structure or appearance of the bridge do not require a permit. Maintaining the picturesque setting of the bridge should be taken into acount when considering a permit application.
-
-
-
-
-
Pyalong Shire OfficesNational Trust
-
Railway BridgeNational Trust H1451
-
Pyalong RSL Memorial and PlaqueVic. War Heritage Inventory
-
'Lawn House' (Former)Hobsons Bay City
-
1 Fairchild StreetYarra City
-
10 Richardson StreetYarra City
-
-