Local Government
Murchison
Region
Midwest
Carnarvon-Mullewa Rd Murchison
Shire of Mullewa also had this on their MI (P03400, now inactive) but advised in Feb 2009 is not in Mullewa.
Ballinoo Bridge, Ballinyu Bridge
Murchison River Road Bridge
Murchison
Midwest
Constructed from 1929
Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
---|---|---|---|---|
Heritage List | Adopted | 15 Oct 2015 |
Type | Status | Date | Documents |
---|---|---|---|
RHP - Assessed - Below Threshold | Current | 11 Jun 2010 |
Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Category | Description | ||||
Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 27 Jun 1996 | 1 |
1 |
The Ballinyoo Bridge has high historic significance for it's association with transport and communication in the district. The bridge has further considerable significance as the second concrete bridge built in Western Australia and the last constructed with all imported steel and cement. It's function is especially important during times of flood when access is a real problem in the district.
Located on the Carnarvon-Mullewa Road this bridge is a single lane structure built over the Murchison River. Supported on six solid concrete bases, the bridge has evenly spaced, concrete pillars between the handrails.
In 1929 work was commenced on the Ballinyoo Bridge near Billabalong by H Martin & Co. At the time, Harry Martin was in partnership with Charles Robert Bunning, building bridges in the north west of Western Australia. Together they successfully secured the contracts with Main Roads to build reinforced concrete bridges over the salt lakes at Morawa, the Murchison River at Ballinyoo Springs and over the Gascoyne River at Carnarvon. They were the first concrete bridges in the State and were unique at the time. Designed by Ernest Godfrey, Main Roads Engineer, steel and cement for Morawa and Murchison bridges was imported from England. The cement came in wooden barrels and it is believed that there may be evidence of the steel barrel bands to the east of the bridge in the southern bank of the river. Water for mixing the concrete was probably sourced from Ballinyoo Springs located immediately upstream from the bridge. The bridge was opened in 1930 and was considered to be the "highlight of the year for Murchison residents". (Road to Murchison, p.48, Timber people, p.93 and Notes from RFB Lefroy)
Integrity: Medium
Good
Name | Type | Year From | Year To |
---|---|---|---|
Ernest WC Godfrey Main Roads Engineer) | Architect | 1929 | - |
Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
---|---|---|---|
Mills J; "Timber People". | |||
Nixon M & Lefroy R; "The Road to Murchison: an Illustrated Story of the District and it's People". | Vanguard Press | 1988 |
Other Built Type
Epoch | General | Specific |
---|---|---|
Original Use | Transport\Communications | Road: Bridge |
Present Use | Transport\Communications | Road: Bridge |
Type | General | Specific |
---|---|---|
Other | CONCRETE | Other Concrete |
Other | METAL | Steel |
General | Specific |
---|---|
OCCUPATIONS | Technology & technological change |
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES | Water, power, major t'port routes |
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Community services & utilities |
OCCUPATIONS | Grazing, pastoralism & dairying |
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Road transport |
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.