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Voyager Point Footbridge
The Voyager Point footbridge is a single span arched bridge of steel providing a 2.5m wide footpath for pedestrians and mobility carts. It replaced the former timber footbridge closed in 2001.
Commenced off-site in the first half of 2003, on-site construction started in early July. At a cost of $1.8 million the footbridge was officially opened on the 19th May 2004 by Federal Member for Hughes Danna Vale with Special Minister of State Senator Eric Abetz.
A Brief History:
The original timber footbridge was constructed in 1950 to enable residents and the East Hills Migrant Hostel access to East Hills shops and train station. The bridge collapsed in the 1956 flood and one local resident did a good neighbourly deed by providing a temporary boat service accross the river. Described as unsafe, the Commonwealth eventually stepped in to provide a ferry service that cost 5s for adults and school children 2s, 6d a week expressly at the passenger's own risk.
There was a long running dispute between federal and local government over who should fund bridge maintenance. On September 11, 1987 residents on the opposing river bank had their suburb officially named Voyager Point. The bridge still flooded and was described as dilapidated in 1989. Falling further into disrepair it was threatened to be demolished in March 2001.
On the 13th July 2001 Council closed the footbridge to pedestrian traffic after the Federal Government commissioned an independent report condemning it for safety reasons. A couple of months after closure, boats were still navigating under the footbridge despite a warning sign indicating possible falling debris.
The Federal Government had agreed to build a new footbridge but with delayed construction, local residents and students were furious with the inconvenience having to make alternative travel arrangements. One year after footbridge closure, residents protested in the streets and the Voyager Point Progress Association requested documents under FOI. The Association also challenged State Government land revaluations as they believed the consequent tax increases were unjustified with the footbridge out of action.
On the weekend of 24th August 2002 an army vessel crashed into the footbridge pylons causing substantial damage. This complicated matters further as it was subject to an insurance claim and part of the bridge was removed to make it safe.
As the banks of the Georges River reside in two local government shires there were several draft agreements between Liverpool & Bankstown Councils with the Federal Government. The final agreement had the new footbridge Federally funded and built with ownership and maintenance to be passed to the local councils. There were numerous bureaucratic obstacles to overcome including State Government approval to span the Georges River and the airspace above it. There was also dispute between Local Councils and the Federal Government over the requirement for Development Applications.
Sources: A brief history is a condense of a detailed account compiled from local newspaper articles of the Liverpool Leader & Canterbury Express. Other sources include House of Reps. / Senate Hansards 1956, 1988, 2003.
Voyager Point Footbridge
The Voyager Point footbridge is a single span arched bridge of steel providing a 2.5m wide footpath for pedestrians and mobility carts. It replaced the former timber footbridge closed in 2001.
Commenced off-site in the first half of 2003, on-site construction started in early July. At a cost of $1.8 million the footbridge was officially opened on the 19th May 2004 by Federal Member for Hughes Danna Vale with Special Minister of State Senator Eric Abetz.
A Brief History:
The original timber footbridge was constructed in 1950 to enable residents and the East Hills Migrant Hostel access to East Hills shops and train station. The bridge collapsed in the 1956 flood and one local resident did a good neighbourly deed by providing a temporary boat service accross the river. Described as unsafe, the Commonwealth eventually stepped in to provide a ferry service that cost 5s for adults and school children 2s, 6d a week expressly at the passenger's own risk.
There was a long running dispute between federal and local government over who should fund bridge maintenance. On September 11, 1987 residents on the opposing river bank had their suburb officially named Voyager Point. The bridge still flooded and was described as dilapidated in 1989. Falling further into disrepair it was threatened to be demolished in March 2001.
On the 13th July 2001 Council closed the footbridge to pedestrian traffic after the Federal Government commissioned an independent report condemning it for safety reasons. A couple of months after closure, boats were still navigating under the footbridge despite a warning sign indicating possible falling debris.
The Federal Government had agreed to build a new footbridge but with delayed construction, local residents and students were furious with the inconvenience having to make alternative travel arrangements. One year after footbridge closure, residents protested in the streets and the Voyager Point Progress Association requested documents under FOI. The Association also challenged State Government land revaluations as they believed the consequent tax increases were unjustified with the footbridge out of action.
On the weekend of 24th August 2002 an army vessel crashed into the footbridge pylons causing substantial damage. This complicated matters further as it was subject to an insurance claim and part of the bridge was removed to make it safe.
As the banks of the Georges River reside in two local government shires there were several draft agreements between Liverpool & Bankstown Councils with the Federal Government. The final agreement had the new footbridge Federally funded and built with ownership and maintenance to be passed to the local councils. There were numerous bureaucratic obstacles to overcome including State Government approval to span the Georges River and the airspace above it. There was also dispute between Local Councils and the Federal Government over the requirement for Development Applications.
Sources: A brief history is a condense of a detailed account compiled from local newspaper articles of the Liverpool Leader & Canterbury Express. Other sources include House of Reps. / Senate Hansards 1956, 1988, 2003.