James Taylor, Castlemaine

In support of Tamasine Dale’s letter, Beautiful Bridge – Opinions, March 6, 2020 – I wish to point out the historical value of this bridge.
In 1870 the Borough Council received a request from the inhabitants of Froomes’ Road asking for a bridge over the creek at the road leading from Dawes’ Railway Hotel (pictured) to the cricket ground.
It was not until 1874 that work was actually begun and, consequently finished, on what was known as Dawe’s Bridge. It was built by convict labour.
Council revealed the cost of erecting the bridge to have been £540 7s. Mr Cornish was much complimented on the excellence of his work, and a vote of thanks was given to him. I believe this to be for supplying the plans and overseeing the construction.
The Dawes would have the hotel for a long time and the local people usually referred the hotel as Dawe’s, so it seemed natural to call the bridge “Dawe’s Bridge”. Even the council referred to it as such.
I think the bridge should remain basically as is, with whatever steps need to be taken to strengthen it for today’s traffic but not to make it in the image of the Elizabeth Street bridge.

Ian Edwards, Castlemaine

Councils have a difficult job in balancing the infrastructure demands of increased traffic with preserving heritage, natural beauty and residential liveability.
The preservation of the one lane bridge in Froomes Road is a perfect example of how a beautiful environment can be kept with very little, or no, interference to traffic flow. On the other hand, the construction of a much larger, concrete two-lane bridge would create a very dangerous thoroughfare for the many tourists, walkers, bike riders, school children, local residents, odd horse and cart and even kangaroos who use Froomes Rd bridge.
The bridge adjoins a heritage area (HO 587), the Botanical Gardens (HO669), and neighbourhood protected by the council’s very own Planning Scheme. There is an Aboriginal Cultural Significance overlay, a Landscape overlay and the nearby historic railway line buttressing. To turn this unique, historic area into a busy “access route…(for a)…significant local industry” would be a disaster, especially as the alternative route along Richards Road and Parker Street takes a mere 15 seconds longer.
The council has shown admirable sensibility in preserving environments and controlling traffic with such initiatives as the Gaffney St bridge and Templeton St road-narrowing and palm tree planting. I urge them to continue their good work by preserving an even more beautiful heritage neighbourhood.
Please, council, use some of the more than $1 million you have allocated to remove and replace the current bridge to its preservation and repair. Then the rest of the money could be used on the many other infrastructure demands Castlemaine ratepayers actually need and desire.