The Friends of the Bridge is a Sub Committee of the Seymour and District Historical Society. The aim of this group is to preserve the existing structure and to incorporate it as part of the Goulburn River Walking Track.

29 April 2017

An Update from Jeff Saker, Director of Engineering and Infrastructure, at the Mitchell Shire, in a communication with chair John Jennings.

Good afternoon John

As you are aware, Council initially set out to stabilise and secure the bridge from further deterioration and to consider options for its future use. In order to achieve these original outcomes, an additional package of works is planned which includes the following:

· Mitchell Shire Council is currently working with Heritage Victoria and Regional Development Victoria (RDV) to finalise the plan to secure and stabilise the remaining bridge structure;
· Council has allocated $120,000 in the draft 2017/2018 budget to undertake these works;
· The proposed works include the installation of steel cable bracing which will ensure the lateral and longitudinal stability of the timber piers and allow the Goulburn River to be reopened at this location by Maritime Victoria;
· The upper surface of the exposed piers and cross head beams will be protected with a bituminous felt damp course. It will be further secured by the installation of galvanised steel sheet capping; and
· Demolition of existing bridge abutment to make safe for public access to the river frontage in the vicinity of the bridge.

Council is continuing to advocate at a State and Federal Government for grant funding to support the long-term future use of the bridge.