Lower Collie River Bridge

Statement of Significance

• The current bridge has historic value for its association with the crossings at this point in the river since 1841. • The timbers of the former bridge have historic value for their association with the former structure on the site

Physical Description

The present bridge is of concrete construction and modern design. This is the fourth bridge in this locality, with previous bridges being constructed in the 1848, 1911 and 1962. The 1911 bridge was located on the western side of the existing in close proximity to the boat ramp. There is is no remnant material or evidence of the 1840s timber bridge or the 1911 bridge but remnant timber from the 1962 bridge has been incorporated into the lower timber walkway, mooring posts and fishing platforms adjacent to the present road bridge. The 1962 timber bridge was constructed of jarrah logs spanning between jarrah piles driven into the river bed with bracings of sawn timber. The timber plank walkway is supported on a superstructure of sawn timber lengths and steel and there is an open timber balustrade to each side. Remnant piles can still be seen in the river bed.

History

On 15 April 2010, a new concrete bridge over the Collie River was opened replacing the last timber bridge that had been constructed in 1962. Like the three previous timber bridges before it, the present structure is strategically located near the mouth of the Collie River at the confluence of three shires; Dardanup, Bunbury, and Harvey. The first bridge was proposed by W.A. Company Commissioner M.W. Clifton as early as 1841 and was designed and built by his son, William Pearce Clifton in 1848, prior to the convict era in the W.A. Colony. Local support was crucial to provide labour and raise an extra £50, to augment £300 of Government funding. Timber was sourced locally and milled at Alverstoke. The heavy winter rains necessitated two sturdy bridges over the Preston (built 1846) and Collie Rivers to serve as an important link for immigrants who settled at Australind on the shores of Leschenault Estuary and their nearby centre of business, goods, markets and trade at the port of Bunbury. The first bridge was replaced in 1911 with a one-lane bridge and fishing platform. This in turn was replaced in 1962 by a third timber structure which incorporated a two-lane bridge and fishing platform. The 1848 bridge remained in situ until early WWII, when Army Sappers practised their ‘explosive’ skills on the old structure and destroyed it. However, remnants of the original bridge remained until 1962 when Main Roads started to construct the third replacement bridge. When the original bridge was removed, Main Roads workers found that the piles of the 1848 bridge had been driven in through compressed wool bales, possibly an old method to curb slippage on the silty bottom. The official nomenclature of Australind Bridge is not commonly used, as most locals prefer the name of Collie River Bridge.

Integrity/Authenticity

High/ High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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