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BRIDGE

Location OVER MOORABOOL RIVER, MIDLAND HIGHWAY BATESFORD, GOLDEN PLAINS SHIRE, GREATER GEELONG CITY File Number 601026 Level Registered

[1/4] BRIDGE SOHE 2008 [2/4] BRIDGE SOHE 2008 [3/4] 1 bridge over moorabool river [4/4] h01115 plan h1115

Statement of Significance

The bridge at Batesford, which was built in 1859, is the third bridge to be built on that site. It is constructed of local bluestone and crosses the Moorabool River in five segmentally arched spans. It has an integral parapet walls and splayed wing walls. The design of the structure is attributed to engineers from the Victorian Government Board of Land and Works. The bridge was constructed by David Barry.

The Bridge over Moorabool River, Batesford is of architectural and historical significance to Victoria.

The bridge at Batesford is amongst the earliest and longest stone arch road bridges in the state. The spans of the bridge are unusual in not being fully centered with a keystone at the centre of each arch. It is an essentially intact example of a bridge structure constructed of locally available bluestone, erected during the goldrush period of the 1850's. The bridge played a major role on the main route connecting Ballarat and Geelong during the goldrush period.