Bunyip River Bridge - Iona

The Koo-wee-rup Swamp drains (c1889 - ) and bridges (c1930s and earlier), are significant to the Cardinia Shire as evidence of the massive swamp drainage project carried out there and the eventual development of transport networks when the swamp was turned into rich farming land. The construction of many of these bridges also symbolises the devastation of the 1934 floods when the previous timber bridges were washed away. The bridges are generally notable for their age, judged among other bridges in the shire, and the amount of original fabric which survives on each. The timber construction being also evocative of the thriving local timber industry and plentiful supply.

The bridges are timber decked and framesand most have angle-rail timber balustrading. Some (e.g. the bridge over main drain opposite St. Joseph's Iona) have been reinforced with steel stringers.

TheBunyip River Bridge at IonaBridge is one of nine timber bridges listed under 'Swamp Bridges and Swamp Drains' in the Cardinia Shire Heritage Study, and one of seven individually listed on the local Heritage Overlay.

Group

Utilities - Drainage

Category

Other - Utilities - Drainage