The Kilcunda trestle bridge might not be grand but it’s our history. From left, Joe Italiano. Lisa Russo, Anthony Russo, with grandchildren, and John and Maxine Wright.
By Maxine Wright
Like many Kilcunda residents, I was shocked and dismayed at the news that Bass Coast Shire councillors had voted to demolish the historic viaduct bridge in Kilcunda.
Once demolished this iconic bridge is gone forever - the memories of the original highway that snaked under the bridge and the route of the original railway line will no longer exist for future generations. The bridge adds character to our little town and complements the trestle bridge at the other end. We really would be devastated - it feels like vandalism. We may not have the wealthy symbols of gold mining areas but that doesn’t mean the structures we do have shouldn’t be preserved.
Like many Kilcunda residents, I was shocked and dismayed at the news that Bass Coast Shire councillors had voted to demolish the historic viaduct bridge in Kilcunda.
Once demolished this iconic bridge is gone forever - the memories of the original highway that snaked under the bridge and the route of the original railway line will no longer exist for future generations. The bridge adds character to our little town and complements the trestle bridge at the other end. We really would be devastated - it feels like vandalism. We may not have the wealthy symbols of gold mining areas but that doesn’t mean the structures we do have shouldn’t be preserved.
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Many Kilcunda residents feel devastated that the council plan to pull down this substantial bridge because it is part of our history, a part of the original railway line fundamental to the settlement of this area. The coal initially was shipped to Melbourne from Inverloch but in just over a year the permanent line between Wonthaggi and Nyora was completed. This included the Kilcunda trestle and viaduct bridges.
The railway land and bridge were given to the shire approximately 30 years ago. They subsequently “omitted” to do any maintenance but instead allowed it to deteriorate to a derelict state. Incredibly no-one takes any responsibility for this or the fact that the council had not ensured it was placed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Instead, the council uses these reasons for pulling it down! |
The Line to Wonthaggi July 13, 2024 - The line between Woolamai and Wonthaggi was completed in just 10 weeks, mostly by men with picks and shovels. By Carolyn Landon |
The councillors who spoke for the motion to demolish the bridge were apparently very sad but said it was just too expensive to rebuild and impossible to renovate. So that was that! No evidence or in-depth arguments to clearly explain or justify the decision. We just have to trust council and councillors that there was no other option apparently.
In May this year residents heard that the shire was considering options for the bridge and launched a petition to demonstrate support for saving the bridge. More than 1200 people signed the petition in a fortnight.
We wanted the councillors to know that the bridge is an important reminder of our coal mining past and that council should leave no stone unturned to find the funds for its renovation. We requested to be included in the decision-making process and have the opportunity to speak to council before any decision was made.
Without any warning the councillors voted to demolish the bridge at their last meeting. Whilst we were excluded from the process it also appeared that many councillors had no idea of the history of the bridge or where it was situated.
In May this year residents heard that the shire was considering options for the bridge and launched a petition to demonstrate support for saving the bridge. More than 1200 people signed the petition in a fortnight.
We wanted the councillors to know that the bridge is an important reminder of our coal mining past and that council should leave no stone unturned to find the funds for its renovation. We requested to be included in the decision-making process and have the opportunity to speak to council before any decision was made.
Without any warning the councillors voted to demolish the bridge at their last meeting. Whilst we were excluded from the process it also appeared that many councillors had no idea of the history of the bridge or where it was situated.
Time's up for Kilcunda bridge
July 18, 2025 - Too late to save this piece of history,
councillors decide
July 18, 2025 - Too late to save this piece of history,
councillors decide
An estimate of $2.5 million was cited to rebuild the bridge which appears to be a “stab in the dark” rather than a realistic quote. The decision to destroy this important piece of our history took approximately 10 minutes and none of the information we had provided to our councillors was mentioned, including the petition. The whole process seems to have been designed to reach a predetermined outcome.
The questions that now remain for us include:
Without this transparency it is difficult to accept that all efforts were made to preserve this important part of our history.
The questions that now remain for us include:
- Why didn’t councillors involve the community members who had made contact and requested to be consulted?
- Why wasn’t the evidence the councillors used to make their decision tabled and/or made available to ratepayers?
- Why no mention of the community petition that indicated a high level of support in the town?
- What efforts were made to gain external funds to restore the bridge?
- How many quotes were obtained to restore/rebuild the bridge?
Without this transparency it is difficult to accept that all efforts were made to preserve this important part of our history.