Burnett Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Burnett Bridge |
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Burnett Bridge, 2015
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| Location | from Quay Street, Bundaberg Central to Perry Street, Bundaberg North, Bundaberg, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1900 - 1900 |
| Architect | Alfred Barton Brady |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Burnett Bridge, Burnett River Traffic Bridge | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600368 |
| Significant period | 1900s (fabric) |
| Significant components | wall/s, pier/s (bridge), abutments - road bridge, post/s - lamp, pylon/s |
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The Burnett Bridge is a special road bridge in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. It crosses the Burnett River, connecting the central part of Bundaberg to North Bundaberg. This important bridge was designed by Alfred Barton Brady and finished in 1900. It's also known as the Burnett River Traffic Bridge. Because of its history and design, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.
Building the Burnett Bridge
The Burnett Bridge is a metal bridge that crosses the Burnett River in Bundaberg. It connects the northern and southern parts of the city. Workers built it in 1900, following a design by A.B. Brady.
Europeans first settled the Bundaberg area in the 1840s and 1850s. They set up large farms for raising animals. Later, in the 1860s, people looked for good farming land near the Burnett River. This river was easy for boats to travel on. Bundaberg was officially surveyed in 1869.
Bundaberg grew as a port and supply center. This was especially true after copper mining started nearby in 1871. As the town grew, it needed better ways to cross the river. At first, ferries carried people and goods. But as traffic increased, ferries could not handle it. So, in the 1870s, the first bridges were built.
The 1880s were a boom time for Bundaberg. The sugar industry grew very strong in the region. This led to many new, impressive buildings being built in the city. These buildings showed how important and rich Bundaberg was becoming.
The first bridges were made of timber. They became weak from heavy traffic. So, plans were made for two stronger metal bridges. These new bridges could carry heavier loads. They would also match the modern look of Bundaberg's city center.
One of these bridges was over Bundaberg Creek. It opened in December 1899 and is called the Kennedy Bridge. It looks like a smaller version of the main Burnett Bridge. The Burnett Bridge opened on 24 August 1900. Both bridges look similar to the Victoria Bridge in Brisbane, which was built in 1897. All three bridges were designed by the same engineer, Alfred Barton Brady.
A.B. Brady was born and trained in England. He designed many famous bridges and was a very important engineer in Queensland. He worked for the state for 37 years, starting in 1885. He was known for his amazing bridge designs.
When it first opened, the Burnett Bridge was the fifth longest metal bridge in Australia. All the other longer ones have since been taken down or are no longer used. The Burnett Bridge's design was almost the same as the Victoria Bridge in Brisbane. However, the Brisbane bridge had a wider road with three main support structures. The Burnett Bridge only has two.
Even though a railway bridge crossed the river in 1891, people thought the new traffic bridge was very important. They believed it would help Bundaberg continue to grow. Public meetings were held to support building the bridge. Local groups also helped with its construction.
The bridge was finished when money for local projects was hard to find. This was because the government was focusing on building railways. Half of the bridge's cost was given as a gift. The other half was a loan to the local groups, to be paid back over forty years.
Over time, some parts of the bridge changed. The old lanterns on the bridge's ends were replaced with round lights. This might have happened when the lights changed from gas to electricity. In the 1950s, the walking path was made narrower. But most other changes have been small. The bridge is still a key part of the city's transport system. It was repaired and repainted in 1991. In 1993, the walking path was made wider again. It is now used by both cyclists and walkers.
What the Bridge Looks Like
The Burnett Bridge connects Quay Street in Bundaberg with Perry Street in North Bundaberg. It crosses the Burnett River. The bridge is about 412 meters (1,352 feet) long. It has eight sections, each about 51.9 meters (170 feet) long. These sections are supported by round pillars and concrete ends.
The bridge has a road that is about 7.3 meters (24 feet) wide. It also has a footpath for people to walk on. The road sits on metal supports that connect to the main framework of the bridge.
The bridge's design is mostly practical, but it also looks very nice. It is an important landmark in the city. The bridge's sections are held up by pairs of pillars. These pillars look like decorative columns with round cross-bracing between them. This creates a striking look.
The bridge's entrance has decorative concrete structures called pylons. These pylons stand on either side of the road. They have fancy tops and rough-looking bases. A concrete wall connects these pylons to the lower parts of the bridge. These walls hold decorative metal lamps with glass globe lights.
Why the Bridge is Special
The Burnett Bridge was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it is a very important historical site. Here's why:
- It shows how Queensland's history developed.
The Burnett Bridge shows how important and rich Bundaberg was in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Bundaberg was a major center for growing sugar in Queensland.
- It shows the main features of its type of place.
This bridge is a great example of its kind. It combines good engineering with a beautiful design. It adds a lot to the look of Bundaberg.
- It has special beauty.
The bridge is important because it looks good. It mixes technical skill with a nice appearance. This makes it a big part of Bundaberg's city view.
- It is linked to important people in Queensland's history.
The bridge is a major example of the work of Alfred Barton Brady. He worked for the Queensland government for 37 years. During that time, he greatly helped Queensland grow through his building and engineering designs.
