Saltwater Creek Railway Bridge
- 600370
- Quay Street Woongarra Line, Bundaberg
General
- Also known as
- Millaquin Bridge
- Classification
- State Heritage
- Register status
- Entered
- Date entered
- 21 October 1992
- Type
- Transport—rail: Bridge—railway
- Theme
- 5.3 Moving goods, people and information: Using rail
- Builder
- Overend, James
- Construction period
- 1894, Saltwater Creek Railway Bridge (1894 - 1894)
- Historical period
- 1870s–1890s Late 19th century
Location
- Address
- Quay Street Woongarra Line, Bundaberg
- LGA
- Bundaberg Regional Council
- Coordinates
- -24.86272456, 152.3572342
Map
Street view
Photography is provided by Google Street View and may include third-party images. Images show the vicinity of the heritage place which may not be visible.
Significance
Criterion AThe place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland’s history.
A late 19th century bridge which is the second oldest extant with screw piles in Queensland, on what was constructed as a private railway to government standards.
Criterion CThe place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Queensland’s history.
(Criterion under review)
Criterion DThe place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places.
A late 19th century bridge which is the second oldest extant with screw piles in Queensland, on what was constructed as a private railway to government standards.
Criterion FThe place is important in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement at a particular period.
(Criterion under review)
History
Agitation for a railway from Bundaberg to the Woongarra district began in the 1880s and a line was surveyed during 1889-91. In the absence of funds for government construction and with the support of the railway commissioners, Robert Cran of the Millaquin sugar refinery near Bundaberg, was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1892, to construct a private railway from Bundaberg to the sugar refinery. Plans were prepared for the bridge in 1893. Tenders were called by the government and a contract for construction was awarded to James Overend in January 1894. The railway was opened for traffic on 9 July 1894.
The railway was acquired by the State Government on 3 December 1912. In 1917 an Act of Parliament approved the acquisition of the railway to Woongarra. In 1918 the State Government acquired the extension of the railway which had been constructed by the Shire Council.
In 1965 plans were prepared for strengthening the bridge with steel girders suitable for a 12 ton axle loading. This was subsequently undertaken with re-used girders from the Gold Coast.
Description
Saltwater Creek bridge includes one 50 foot plate girder span with steel cross girders and longitudinals, seven 20 and two 26 foot timber spans, supported on seven timber piers, two concrete cylinder piers, and two timber abutments.
Bundaberg embankment.
4x1x2x20 foot (6.1m) timber longitudinals, concrete abutment, common braced timber trestles, (two on timber foundations) or a common concrete pier (piers 1 to 5).
1x2x2x26 foot (7.9m) timber longitudinals, common braced timber trestle on a concrete foundation (pier 5), common cast iron cylinders with screw piles (pier 6).
1x2x50 foot (15.2m) half-through plate girders with steel cross girders, steel longitudinals, common cast iron cylinder piers with screw piles (piers 6 and 7).
1x2x2x26 foot (7.9m) timber longitudinals, common cast iron cylinders with screw piles (pier 7), common braced timber trestle (pier 8).
3x1x2x20 foot (6.1m) timber longitudinals, common braced timber trestles (piers 8 to 11).
