Click for full size image: Photo 1:The bridge is currently closed for repair   Photo 2: The Bridge as it is today   Photo 3: The view from the bridge looking upstream towards Thornton    Photo 4: The downstream view towards Seymour    Photo 5: The subject of all the controversy Photo 6: The Breakaway Bridge: A local Icon

Thanks to the affirmative action of local user groups as well as support from city based visitors the Breakaway Bridge has been saved! Initial plans which called for the Bridge's demolition have been scrapped and new initiatives for its repair implemented. These are due for completion on August 17th in time for the opening of the Trout Season on September 1st.

After years of wear and tear as well as water rot of the pylons the Bridge was in a pretty sorry state. So much so that it has been under a three tonne limit for the past twleve months with nineteen of the pylons needing urgent repair. It was understood that if they did not receive these repairs within twelve months, the bridge would have to be closed.

Three possible solutions were put forward in answer to the problem. First a total closure was made possible. Secondly, a repair to the existing structure costing somewhere between $90,000 and $100,000. And lastly replacing it with a modern 2 lane bridge at a cost of $820,000. The first of these options was seen to be the most likely outcome.

Local residents fearing that they would lose their bridge got together and formed a strong alliance in opposition to the closure. As it would effectively cut those who live on the southern side of the Goulburn River from the township of Alexandra, greatly increasing travel times, emotions were high. Travel time to school, the effects on commerce and industry, fire access and the historical importance all were factors which helped win the battle. Also important was the support of dozens of city based petitioners, many of whom were flyfisherman who filled the form in on our website, who added weight to the bridge's tourism based importance.

We would like to thank each and every one of you who participated in the saving of the Breakaway Bridge. The Breakaway is legend amongst flyfisherman the country over, known for its wonderful hatches and superb dry fly fishing. The Bridge itself is truly a local icon and with our support should remain one for a long time to come.

Story updated in a few weeks when the works are complete.