Gascoyne River Bridge (fmr) - Site

Statement of Significance

Aesthetic Value – Gascoyne River Bridge (fmr) has aesthetic value as a remnant span of a well-constructed structure that overcame the restrictions imposed by its isolation and extreme functional requirements with considerable elegance.
Aesthetic Value – Gascoyne River Bridge (fmr) was a demonstration of innovative design as the first concrete and steel construction bridge in the northwest of Western Australia. The achievement was greater because of its isolation and extreme functional requirements.
Historic Value – Gascoyne River Bridge (fmr) was an important part in the establishment of the network of all-weather roads that was needed to develop the north of Western Australia, its construction was crucial in the evolution of this part of the State.
Historic Value – The construction of Gascoyne River Bridge (fmr) represented a shift in the design of bridges in the state. It was also a product of the period between 1926-1931 in which the State Government, through the Main Roads Board, began to organise the construction of roads and bridges within the State as a network taking over from individual boards.
Historic Value – Gascoyne River Bridge (fmr) is associated with engineer Ernie Godfrey who brought an innovative approach to the design and construction of bridges in Western Australia. Gascoyne River Bridge (fmr) is also associated with Charles Bunning who organised the new materials for the project and who went on to lead one of largest building supplies companies in Western Australia.
Historic Value – The construction of Gascoyne River Bridge (fmr) was the successful achievement of a new technical innovation in the use of steel and concrete in the design and construction of bridges, particularly in the remote north-west region of Western Australia.
Research Value – Gascoyne River Bridge (fmr) is significant in demonstrating the evolution of the technology required for the construction of permanent bridge structures over rivers subject to intense flooding. It demonstrates both the determination of the community in overcoming natural barriers to develop the Carnarvon area and also the larger Northwest Region of the State, and the high degree of technical achievement involved in assessing the natural forces and applying engineering structural design analysis to design and construct economical structures utilising concrete and steel materials.
Social Value – Gascoyne River Bridge (fmr) is valued by the community in Carnarvon and the wider community of the Gascoyne region for its associations with floods and the means of overcoming them. The regular gatherings at Gascoyne River Bridge (fmr) during times of flood have united the community at these difficult times.
Social Value – Gascoyne River Bridge (fmr) contributes to the community’s sense of place as it has been a crucial link for the town of Carnarvon to the rural community as well its role in linking the north west coast to the south of the State.
Rarity – Gascoyne River Bridge (fmr) was the first bridge of concrete and steel construction built in the Northwest of Western Australia designed to withstand intense river flooding and provide a trafficable all-weather crossing. The three earlier concrete and steel construction bridges built in Western Australia were by WAGR over the railway at Barrack, William and Thomas Streets Perth.
Representativeness – AS the first of the three bridges that E.W.C Godfrey designed for construction in the north-west, Gascoyne River Bridge (fmr) is representative of the innovative use of reinforced concrete and steel structures to span the flood prone northwest rivers. The Murchison River Bridge and the Ashburton River Bridge are the other two bridges.

Physical Description

Single land motor vehicle bridge. The bridge was one of the first to be built on the north west coast; previously the river was impassable after heavy rain.

History

The bridge was built to provide secure vehicular crossing over the Gascoyne River, which is subject to severe flooding. Prior to construction, crossing the Gascoyne River was achieved only during the dry season. A riverbed ford crossing consisting of wire mesh, tied and staked to the sandy river enabled safe crossing at this time. Ernie Godfrey was appointed the first engineer in charge of the Bridge Section with construction commencing in 1930. Henry Martin and Company for the Western Australian Main Roads Board successfully tendered for the bridge in partnership with Charles Bunning. The bridge represented a shift in design and techniques of bridge construction in Western Australia. The bridge was opened on 19 April 1931. In September 2002, the original bridge was demolished with retention of the span of the northern side.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low/Medium

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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