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| Wedderburn Bridge (photo: Dennis Townend) |
A bridge over the Georges River at Wedderburn Gorge was
first built in 1892. It replaced a nearby ford. The bridge was wooden and was
built by Jim and George Kershler. The Kershlers had also built the bridge at
Frere’s Crossing further downstream. The bridge had been built for horse drawn
traffic only which therefore made it unsuitable for much of its long life.
In 1935 there was a deputation to the Council regarding the
unsafe bridge carrying a seven ton limit weight capacity. This was of great
importance to the Fruit Growers Association. The majority of landowners at
Wedderburn grew fruit on their orchards. With the weight restriction it meant
having to bring the fruit to the bridge and unload it onto bigger trucks for
the remainder of the journey to the Sydney markets. The result was more expense
and time and a need to repair the inadequate bridge. Council approved and
ironbark timber was used in its repair.
Over the years there were many complaints made to council
for repairs to the road and to the bridge. In 1978 council banned all vehicles,
except cars, from using the bridge. Tests revealed the bridge supports were
only 50 percent solid. A temporary bypass road was hurriedly constructed by
council. So began the struggle of Wedderburn residents to have a new bridge
built.
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| Wedderburn Bridge at the Georges River, taken from bypass road, 1985 |
In August 1986 the area experienced major flooding resulting
in major damage to the old wooden bridge. Residents were left without access to
Campbelltown. Of course this caused great concern, not just for commercial
reasons as most of the landholders were still fruit growers, but for possible
emergencies that might have arisen. A temporary Bailey Bridge was hastily placed
across the old wooden one by the army. The bridge was removed later in the year
and a temporary concrete causeway was constructed. The causeway however is
regularly submerged leaving the Wedderburn community isolated for days.
A decision now had to be made about building a new bridge or
using a culvert. The debate was still being argued 20 years later with articles
in the local media focusing on the issue. As late as 2014 the issue of a new
bridge at Wedderburn again drew media attention. The wait continues.
Written by Andrew Allen
Update: A new bridge was opened in 2019
Sources:
HOLMES, Marie
“Wedderburn”
In Grist Mills, Vol.10, No.2, April 1997
The Macarthur Advertiser, August 13, 1986 p1,6 and August
20, 1986 p1
The Macarthur Advertiser, June 14, 2006 p24
