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Black Arch rail bridge

Location

off Sunshine Road BRAYBROOK, MARIBYRNONG CITY

File Number

8821

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

[1/2]
HO164(1) - Black Arch Bridge,
[2/2]
HO164(2) - Black Arch Bridge,

Statement of Significance

The Black Arch rail culvert is one of the most intact and least-modified early bluestone railway bridges in the region and part of the first major Government railway line. The distinctive stone work demonstrates the engineering and stonemasonry skills of the period while its setting allows the visual impact to be fully appreciated, but unfortunately, only from the south side (Criterion A3, B2 & D2).

The scale and elaborate stonework, as well as its general form demonstrate the influence of imported British railway engineering and design standards at the onset of railway development in Australia. As part of the first Government railway in Victoria, one of the first country railways in Australia and a line built to British engineering standards with IK Brunel as supervising engineer (from England) this demonstrates the beginnings and origins of railway construction in Victoria. (Criterion A4)

Australian Heritage Commission (AHC) criteria

The Australian Heritage Commission criteria consist of a set of eight criteria which cover social, aesthetic, scientific, and historic values. Each criterion has sub-criteria written specifically for cultural or natural values. The relevant criteria are:

A.3 richness and diversity of cultural features

A.4 demonstrates well the course and pattern of history, important historic events

D.2 good example of type

B.2 rarity

Group