A familiar Bairnsdale landmark is set for a major upgrade, with the timber pedestrian suspension bridge at Howitt Park to be replaced with a new steel and concrete structure that ensures accessibility for all.
East Gippsland Shire Council has awarded a contract for the replacement of the Backwater Suspension Bridge, which is used by thousands of pedestrians every year, and links the Mitchell River Circuit Walk across Clifton Creek.
The existing timber and steel cable bridge has deteriorated over time, with a 2024 inspection identifying structural degradation in major timber components and prompting an immediate reduction in the number of pedestrians permitted to use the bridge at any one time.
A follow-up structural assessment in May 2025 confirmed that key elements, including columns, piles, girders, stringers, crossbeams and floor beams, required replacement.
Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth said a reliable bridge is vital for Howitt Park and the many people using the space.
“Howitt Park is somewhere people go to walk, exercise, take the kids out, and enjoy being beside the river. This bridge is part of that experience, so it’s important that we get it back to being a safe and welcoming part of the park,” Cr Ashworth said.
Rather than undertake short-term repairs estimated at $350,000 to $400,000, council opted to replace the structure with a bridge that meets current accessibility requirements.
The new bridge will occupy the same footprint as the existing bridge, so pedestrians will not be able to cross the creek at this location during the works.
“We could have put a lot of money into patching up the existing bridge, but that wouldn’t have solved the underlying problem. Replacing it gives us a much better outcome and means the new bridge can be built around the needs of everyone who uses the park,” Cr Ashworth said.
The contract was awarded to local firm Jarvis Norwood Constructions, a specialist road and bridge builder based in Swan Reach.
Construction will cost $652,420 and is planned to take place during the drier months of the year to minimise weather-related delays, and council will keep the local community informed of the proposed construction period and progress of the works via its Facebook page and website.
Council manages 218 bridges across East Gippsland – 191 road bridges and 27 footbridges.
Over the past nine years,153 timber bridges have been replaced with steel and concrete bridges or culverts.
This major investment has transformed the shire’s bridge network – making East Gippsland’s roads safer, strengthening resilience to fire and flood, and improving connections between communities while ensuring bridges can carry heavier loads.
The upgrade work is part of a broader program to improve transport connections across the region, including bridge projects at Swifts Creek, Marlo and Mossiface.
Together, these projects represent a significant program of work, replacing the last of the shire’s ageing timber structures with safer, stronger steel and concrete bridges.
