The NSW Government has released a recommended proposal to memorialise the former Prince Alfred bridge timber viaduct at Gundagai, which is on exhibition for community feedback until 31 May.
The proposal was developed by consultant heritage architects Conrad Gargett following the assessment of almost 140 ideas put forward by Gundagai residents in September last year.
The memorial concept aims to commemorate the bridge’s heritage, cultural and social significance while creating a new tourism site for Gundagai.
The proposed concept would use salvaged timber, wire sculptures, historic photos and information, and technology to remember the bridge.
The memorial would include features at the north end of the former bridge site off Sheridan Street as part of the Gundagai Heritage Walk, which would direct visitors to a second memorial site located on the floodplain.
It would include:
- A public viewing area off Sheridan Street. Timber gates made from salvaged timber would create a viewing point to a floating wire art sculpture that creates a 3D visual impression of the former bridge, looking toward a reinstated bridge trestle on the floodplain. Rustic seating would be provided using salvaged timber from the former bridge.
- An information panel at the viewing area with bridge photos, residents’ quotes, and a QR code to more online photos, information and a fly-through augmented reality experience recreating sights and sounds of the former bridge.
- Visitor access will be improved to the viewing area with car parking spaces, pedestrian crossings, line markings, bollards created from salvaged timber, and tourist signage.
- The reinstated bridge trestle on the floodplain at O.I. Bell Drive would feature a second elevated wire sculpture recreating motor vehicles crossing the bridge, a second information panel, a deconstructed timber deck at ground level, and more rustic timber seating.
Community feedback on the concept can be made online until 31 May, or in person on 17 May at Gundagai’s Foodworks and Woolworths (10.30-11am), Gundagai Services Club and library (12-1pm), or Gundagai Public and High School from (3-3.30pm).
Once the community consultation period ends feedback will be assessed and the concept finalised.
