Going, going, gone

During this flood time, property is under threat, and one type of property is bridges. Here a few local bridges no longer there.

Natimuk Rail Bridge


The timber rail bridge over the Natimuk Creek on the western outskirts of Natimuk was built in 1894 to serve the grain producers to the west - Arapiles, Mitre, Duffholme, Gymbowen, Goroke, Mortat and Carpolac sidings (photos of the sidings are at Victorian Railway Stations). With the closure of the 'Carpolac rail-line' in 1986, the bridge's days were numbered. The Public Transport Corporation tendered for its removal in 1987, however parts of it were dismantled and stolen before the work could be completed. Horsham Rural City Council are now working with Bicycle Victoria to develop a Rail Trail to Mt Arapiles passing the site.

Glenorchy Bridge


This disused road bridge (one of many surrounding Glenorchy) over the Wimmera River, was closed at the beginning of 2008, and dismantled in 2009.
The Northern Grampians Shire Council saved some of the timbers to construct a picnic table & seats at the site.

Dairy Creek Bridge


The buttress remains of the road bridge over the Dairy Creek, now the lake-bed of the Lake Bellfield water storage, in the Grampians. The Dairy Creek settlement was abandoned and flooded when Lake Bellfield was created in 1969. The bridge and building foundations are only visible during low water, drought conditions.

Kanagulk Bridge


The partly demolished timber rail bridge over the Kanagulk flood-plain (Glenelg River) on the southern approach to the Fulham Bridge, on the Noradjuha to Balmoral line.

Bourke's Bridge


A colonial all timber bridge named after Mrs Margaret Bourke. It was built in 1889 and later largely destroyed by fire. Rather than rebuild it, it was bypassed by a new concrete road bridge just upstream. The bridges are on the Glenelg River near Chetwynd on the Edenhope-Casterton Road.