Blackman River Bridge due to be repaired with native timber

First built in 1848 by convicts, the bridge over the Blackman River at Tunbridge was shut in December 2019 after a fire damaged the timber deck.

Work to repair the bridge, which straddles the boundary between the Northern Midlands and Southern Midlands councils, had been in limbo.

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The bridge, thought to be the oldest surviving single-span timber bridge in the country, is being restored by the Department of State Growth however both councils had to approve application.

The Southern Midlands Council approved the application under condition that the deck remain fully timber and constructed using traditional methods.

This was resisted by their counterparts to the north due to concerns over maintenance costs, and the Northern Midlands Council originally sought a timber bridge with a concrete deck.

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After negotiations with the Department of State Growth, during which it was confirmed the bridge would be maintained by the department and not local governments, Northern Midlands Council approved the application.

Speaking in April after councillors approved a fully-timber deck design, Northern Midlands Council mayor Mary Knowles said the decision had been "a long time coming".

The Department of State Growth says as of August 22 it has begun sourcing native timber for the bridge, and that construction is expected to start in 2024.

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In a statement, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said he was pleased the project was moving ahead, but understood residents' frustrations with the delays.

"I empathise with local residents who use this bridge and have been frustrated by the length of time it has taken to reach agreement on the construction materials," Mr Ferguson said.

Mr Ferguson said while the heritage aspect of the bridge would be maintained, speed limits would likely be reduced on the restored bridge due to safety concerns.

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