Tabulam Bridge

[xelasnave]

If you have seen it you must love it and its the longest wood bridge around. A new bridge is going up and they want to pull this one down having taken it off the heritage list...why do we have a herittage list if such a wonderful bridge is denied recognition.
Everyone please wish for this not to happen.
Alex

[xelasnave]

It is a National Treasure.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Evil powers are taking away your national treasure ... what will you tell your grandchildren when they ask "Poppy what happened to the Tabulam Bridge ... was it destroyed in a war?"
Please someone make a video and turn the tide...I dont have the strength anymore.
The man got the new bridge and a key to the minerals up our way ..the bridge is not an issue for them..maybe we should get the Mining Company to pledge to maintain it..great pr and they are going to need it.
Alex

[glend]

In parts of the USA they protect the old covered timber bridges. I believe old timber train trestle also get protected in some states.
Maybe you should launch a Go Fund Me campaign to raise money to buy the old bridge. Alternatively there are timber recyclers who would love to get their hands on those old beams, and supports, as they can be repurposed in many ways. If old piers and jetty timbers can be turned into nice floor boards, I can't see why there would not be a market for the old bridge timbers.

BTW there does seem to be other locals who want to preserve the longest timber bridge in the Southern Hemisphere:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-03/tabulam-bridge-replacement-untold-project/6996888

There is a nice old one lane bridge just west of Gloucester, I hope they spare that one.

[muletopia]

Some years ago driving a pair of mules in the wheat belt we came to a place where a new concrete creek crossing had just been constructed but the old wooden bridge had yet to be demolished.
So I drove the pair over the wooden bridge and the new crossing (twice).
My thoughts were,we would be the last of many to drive a pair over the old bridge and the first of few to drive a pair over the new crossing.


Chris

[xelasnave]

I contacted the council to buy it but they said it now RMS controlled and I cant find a phone number no matter what???
You could buy it and sell it at a profit on the assumption you get a buyer..I could sell it☺
There must be a tender process ..or is there ?????
What would you want to pay..the cost of pulling it down and putting it somewhere..Las Vagas...Dubai. ..its one of a kind you want it $half a billion with six month warranty shipped and assembled.
Alex

[Hemi]

From what you've said Alex,

I don't think your knees will handle this as a solo project.
:)

[GrahamL]

The bridge gangs were a specialist breed alex as you know up in the hills there are /were hundreds of timber bridges , I know some of these old fellas and they are that now they stopped training apprentices and hiring new people many years ago letting these skills pass on and i believe contracting out maintenance and repairs and eventually replacing with concrete and steel



The bridge itself is an amazing piece of engineering and deserved to be listed as such, its still sound if i remember reading right ? , sadly the bean counters
have a new football stadium(was the other one that crap ?) and other important things to fund .They will tender out the timber and removal if your keen

its again a big ask being such a large structure somone will buy for removal and wont pay much i believe.

[xelasnave]

I am thinking a couple of hundred voluntee back packers..make working on the bridge a right of passage for citizens worlld wwide.
Alex

[xelasnave]

So we just need to find out how much it costs do a video and call for all voluntees to assemble at the bridge and hold vidual until they hand it over.☺
Alex

[mynameiscd]

Hi Alex,
Its a great bridge and a shame to pull down. Looks like theres a bit of interest which might help but like most old iconic constuctions they get bulldozed then everyone starts talking about heritage listing.
There's some old railway bridges near me that are still intact.
Theres also this site which is sort of what you need to get the info out there.

http://abandonedbutnotforgotten1.blogspolt .com/2015/12/wimmera-river-bridge-at-quantong.html (http://abandonedbutnotforgotten1.blogspot. com/2015/12/wimmera-river-bridge-at-quantong.html)

Good luck.
Andy

[xelasnave]

Thanks for the link Andy.
I recall the various projects to change things and so often I only get elected to run things and its hard work.
Preventing our road being cut off when I lived on the Hawkesbury river saw night after night working to 3 am (got it openned but what a draining experience seeing pollies radio shows meetings etc) ...I think its doable but I feel others much younger should do it.
And I just have too much to do just looking after myself and those near and dear..Still I might call in at the Tabby pub and see if the locals are doing anything and if not try and rev them up.
It would be such a loss and given the things that get a heritage listing one could think the bridge should be saved.
Alex