Strong Community Support for Council’s Permit to Demolish Chinamans Bridge

Strathbogie Shire Council has received formal advice from Heritage Victoria confirming that 32 submissions were received during the public notice period for the application to demolish Chinamans Bridge. The public notice period closed on Tuesday, 28 January 2025.

All 32 submissions supported Council’s permit to demolish the structure, with the exception of the land-based abutments. This overwhelming community endorsement reinforces the steps Council has taken to address the ongoing concerns surrounding the deteriorating bridge.

Heritage Victoria has advised that no formal response is required to the submissions, and there is no additional request for information at this stage. This means the statutory process continues without delay.

“This is a great outcome that demonstrates strong support for Council’s decisions and the actions taken to date,” Strathbogie Shire Mayor Claire Ewart Kennedy said. “We are committed to ensuring that this process moves forward efficiently while addressing community safety and heritage considerations.”

Council is now seeking a meeting with Heritage Victoria to emphasise the urgency of the permit approval. The project is tied to funding that must be expended by 30 June 2025, and the Council is eager to ensure timely progress.

“We want to reinforce the importance of meeting the funding deadline and the necessity of moving forward with this project as soon as possible,” Mayor Ewart-Kennedy said. “Council will continue advocating for the best possible outcome for our community. We will continue to advocate to State and Federal government for the balance of funds to complete the demolition  (pending the approval of the permit).”

Background

Chinamans Bridge is a heritage-listed timber bridge that sustained extensive damage during the October 2022 floods. An engineering assessment conducted in January 2023 determined that the bridge had suffered severe structural damage, presenting a significant safety risk to the community, contractors working in the area, and waterway users. Council remains committed to addressing the immediate safety risks associated with Chinamans Bridge while adhering to the requirements of Heritage Victoria.