The Albion Park Pedestrian Bridge has officially reopened to the public, following a major reconstruction project that honours the heritage and community significance of the original structure.
Closed since early 2023 due to extensive flood damage and termite infestation, the much-
loved timber suspension bridge has been reimagined and rebuilt with support from the Australian Government through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program.
Dignitaries including councillors, Member for New England Barnaby Joyce, and Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan, attended the event.
“Community feedback after the bridge’s closing demonstrated its importance to many, and we are glad that people can once again cross Dumaresq Creek via the footbridge behind the pool,” Armidale Regional Mayor Sam Coupland said.
The new suspension bridge was designed to replicate the original as closely as possible.
Originally built in 1933 as the primary pedestrian access to Armidale’s swimming pool, the bridge has long been a cherished local landmark. It underwent substantial repairs in the 1960s and was regularly maintained until its closure in 2023, following flood events in 2021 and 2022 and significant structural damage caused by termites.
Due to the severity of the most recent damage, restoration of the original bridge was deemed unfeasible. Instead, a new timber suspension bridge was constructed to mirror the original design, preserving its heritage value.
The bridge is listed as a heritage item under the Armidale Regional Local Environmental Plan 2012, described as”An intact and well-maintained example of vernacular construction using relatively simple materials and technology. The associated pool entrance represents the rise of swimming as a
popular sport for ordinary people in the early twentieth century.”
The bridge also serves as a key connector in the first stages of the Creeklands Masterplan, reinforcing its role in enhancing community access and connectivity.
The project required a council contribution and was delivered in conjunction with the Armidale Creeklands Restoration Project, with todays ceremonies also seing the expanded Curtis Park playground area opened today.
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