Jennifer Runs For Council

Valentine’s Day Reflections on the Ross Bridge

The Lover’s Lane walkway in Ross runs along the east bank of the Macquarie River north of the Ross Bridge. A feature along the walk is the Prisoners of Love artwork by Bruno Barcodi. More can be read about this installation on the Northern Midlands Council website where it is referred to as the Skulduggery Love Seat. [1]

From the pathway there are views across the water to the Ross Bridge, the heritage jewel in the crown of the southernmost town in the Northern Midlands municipality. Following on from Valentine’s Day earlier this week, is it now time to show some love to the Ross Bridge?

There are several matters that require attention including national heritage listing, flood protection, access around the bridge and historical interpretation. Kim Peart and I have raised these issues many times over recent years with the Northern Midlands Council, Tasmanian State Government and through the media. Kim Peart nominated the Ross Bridge for national heritage listing in 2016 but this application was unsuccessful. [2] I spoke to the Northern Midlands Council in October 2017 requesting they consider submitting their own national heritage nomination for the bridge. [3] At their meeting in December 2017 the Northern Midlands Council agreed to proceed with the nomination [4] but unfortunately this application was also unsuccessful. [5]

Also, in December 2017 I raised the need for the Ross Bridge to be protected from debris when the Macquarie River floods [6] and the Council resolved to seek discussions with the State Government regarding flood plans to protect the bridge. There was also coverage in the media where locals expressed their concerns over the risk posed by flood debris. [7] In 2019, I spoke with John Tucker MP, Member for Lyons, about flood protection for the Ross Bridge and raised the issue again at the June 2019 Council meeting as apparently no progress had been made since I first spoke on the matter 18 months earlier. [8] Finally, a report was provided to Council at their August 2019 meeting following discussion between Council officers and staff from the Department of State Growth which is responsible for the Ross Bridge. [9] This brief report did not support the use of debris barriers but did suggest proactive management both upstream and downstream of the bridge to minimise risk. They recommended the removal of large logs that may impact the bridge during a flood and ensuring the river could flow freely downstream to prevent water backing up against it but it is unclear whether this management is occurring and indeed whose responsibility it would be.

Pedestrian access to the surrounds of the Ross Bridge for the purposes of viewing the carvings and taking photographs is quite limited. This is despite the area being public land, a combination of council-owned and Crown land. Another matter that needs addressing is the lack of an interpretation installation explaining the historical significance of the Ross Bridge. To the south of the bridge on the eastern bank there is a carpark, barbeque shelter and a historic engineering marker but there is no further information for tourists and other visitors interested in the story of the bridge’s construction and its unique carvings. Kim Peart has long promoted the idea of a heritage park on public land around the bridge and extending to other historic sites including the old stables and Uniting Church. This would include an interpretation installation for the Ross Bridge. Unfortunately, the Northern Midlands Council chose to purchase privately-owned land in the main street next to the pub to create a town park rather than developing parklands on the public land around the river.

So, what needs to happen with the Ross Bridge?

Should another attempt be made to secure national heritage listing?

Should more be done to prevent flood damage to the bridge?

Should the bridge environs be improved and interpretation of the historical significance of the Ross Bridge be provided?

What do you think?