This project received a huge boost in November 2020 with an announcement from the Victorian Government that it would allocate $3.5 mill. to this community-led restoration project. This allocation was part of a Gippsland Tourism Recovery Package which includes construction of new roofed accommodation at Cape Conran Coastal Park and other projects throughout Gippsland.
In addition, the Federal Government has allocated a further $1.05 Mill. for ancillary works such as car parks, signage and access for cyclists and people of all abilities. This funding comes through the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery program.
This project is now underway & expected to be completed in 2024.
some exciting updates
Since September 2021, Gippsland Project Management (GPM) has been working with the Snowy Rail Bridge Project Control Group to steer this project through all of the planning and design requirements. In September 2022, Wood Research and Development Inc were appointed to conduct a thorough condition report on the bridge. This will lead to design and costing estimates in preparation for putting this restoration project out to tender. Also, design work is being conducted on carparks to provide access to both ends of the bridge, along with access and signage design.
Workers from Wood Research and Development Inc. have been on site to assess the condition of all pile timber, cross braces etc. This has been done using non-invasive technology. Compression waves calibrated for Australian hardwoods and timber sizes are used to determine any internal decay. This is done at the top, middle and bottom of every pile.