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Wannon River Bridge

Location 392.13 Km mark, Branxholme/Casterton Railway line,, CASTERTON VIC 3311 - Property No B6940 File Number B6940 Level State

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Statement of Significance

What is significant? The Wannon River Bridge south east of Casterton was built in 1884 as an important component of the Branxholme-Casterton Railway. It was built as a 77 span, 15 feet (4.57 metre) timber-beam bridge, but thirteen of these spans have since been converted to earth embankment, leaving a deck length of almost 293 metres. It is single track, with a maximum height of 9.22 metres. The timber piers vary from simple and low vertical-two-pile structures on the floodplain sections, to very unusual tall vertical-four-pile structures and some 4 pile piers including 2 raker piles, in the vicinity of the main river channel. The bridge deck sweeps in a gentle curve.
The Branxholme-Casterton railway was a direct result of agitation by Portland commercial interests intent on developing Portland as a major deep-sea port serving both international shipping and Australian coastal shipping. This line was the opening gambit in a game that was directed from Portland over many decades, and was still going strong during World War 1, when the Hamilton-East Natimuk line was being completed as a north-south freight route designed to re-direct Wimmera and Mallee wheat from Geelong or Melbourne to Portland harbour. The line closed in 1977.
How is it significant? The Wannon River Bridge is historically, technically and aesthetically significant to the State of Victoria.
Why is it significant? The Wannon River Bridge is historically significant as by far the most impressive surviving artifact from the former Branxholme-Casterton Railway. It is also among the oldest surviving Victorian Railways timber bridges and is the longest nineteenth-century Victorian Railways Bridge still in existence. The Wannon River Bridge is of special interest because of its relatively early date of construction (1884), before the 'Octopus Act' bridges built in the years leading up to the 1893 Depression.
The Wannon River Bridge is technically significant as the longest surviving example of a Victorian Railways 15 feet (4.57 metre) timber-beam bridge still retaining its all-timber integrity. It has some very unusual tall vertical-four-pile pier structures and is gently curved at one end.
The Wannon River Bridge is aesthetically significant as it is situated amidst picturesque grazing land in the Western District, where the broad flood plains of the Wannon and Glenelg Rivers merge to form one gigantic flood plain. The lengthy old bridge curving slightly across the flood plain is readily accessible to the public, and contributes much to the local scenery.
Classified: 06/07/1998