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An artist’s impression of the bridge requiring high rails. Images: ACT Government.
A proposed design for one of the new bridges in Umbagong District Park in Belconnen is already under fire from community groups for safety ‘overkill’.*
Transport Canberra and City Services (TCCS) are moving into the pre-DA community consultation phase for replacing the three ageing and unsafe wooden bridges located on the northern side of Ginninderra Creek in the Park, releasing artists’ impressions of what the new ones will look like.
Similar to the design used in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, the bridges will be built mainly of steel with a rusted finish, with fibre-reinforced plastic grating platforms. Rocks used in the abutments will be similar to those on-site.
One bridge, known as 1193, will have 1.4-m-high sides and rails to prevent possible falls due to the height from the bridge to the ground.
Another view of the bridges with high rails.
TCCS official Jeremy Smith updated the Belconnen Community Council at its latest online meeting, where the Umbagong Landcare Group and Umbagong Action Group quizzed him on the height of the rails.
They feared the high rails and sides would divorce shorter users from the environment, arguing that there had never been an incident before on the bridges.
One comment from feedback had said that the railing was so high it would feel like being in a cage.
READ ALSO$51 million infrastructure spend in Budget for ACT
But Mr Smith said that the building and safety standards had changed considerably since the original bridges were built more than 30 years ago in 1986 and they needed to comply with modern requirements to be approved.
The groups also said proposed stainless steel handrails stood out too much and were unattractive, but these have now been changed in response to the feedback.
Asked whether clear perspex had been considered for the sides, Mr Smith said these tended to be vandalised quickly, either with painted or scratched graffiti.
One of the other bridges closer to the ground.
Mr Smith said TCCS had completed ecological and heritage studies, geotechnical investigation and the concept designs.
He said TCCS had limited ability to change the designs due to a desire to minimise environmental impacts and maintain the current bridges’ alignment.
The bridge components will be manufactured off-site and installed without big machinery.
READ ALSOLocals ask the government to build a bridge (or three) so they can get over it
TCCS expects to lodge a development application between June and August and the tender process to follow from August to September.
The demolition and construction project is expected to take five months from October to February 2023, allowing for the Christmas break and the bushfire season.
Umbagong District Park provides more than 50 ha of open space for recreation and contains significant ecological value.
The second of two pop-up consultation sessions will take place on Saturday (30 April) from 10 am to noon at the Kippax Library.
To learn more visit the TCCS project page.
*This story has been updated on advice from TCCS. The railing height was originally reported as 1.6 metres.
Yep, a shared bridge that looks narrower than existing cycle paths. And by the time it’s finished those ugly hire escooters will be able to join in the fun as well.
The bubble people would like a glass guardrail 🤔
All bridges need to comply with Australian Standards.
Doesn’t matter to me! As long its better for people and nature
This post holocaust look is all the go at the moment despite looking rubbish in my opinion but it will last a long time.
Good to also discuss if people want a new playground, kids’ little bike track and /or a mini cafe hut. Latham needs some love & care.
Maddie Ten I have to say I am a tad surprised how low the railings are
Michaela fancy new bridges coming our way
Luke Sidney Davis I like the old ones 😂 they’re rustic
Presumably, like the perspex option, an airier and therefore less sturdy version would be vandalised within days.
Not to mention perspex will fog over in the long run and produce micro-plastics .
Daniel Duncan Perhaps ‘option’ was a bit strong, given that I doubt that it was ever under consideration by those in charge.
Canberra sure produces some sweet garbage.
Karl Edmondson just down the road?
How well does the design accommodate a leaning bicycle when cornering ?
I like to proposed designs, but either way, I’d just be happy to have the bridges open and safe again.
not much room on it … will doesnt appear to be.. one pram for twins on that and a wheel chair come head to head… who has to back up to the beginning of the bridge to let the other one cross before they start all over again?
Linny Hawkins throw in a cyclist an thatz gonna be one heck of a battle
Paul South yes … maybe it is just the angle of the drawing and the bridge is wider than it looks..I hope so lol. I think the mum with the pram would win
Looks good to me, certainly a hell of a lot better than what is there now.
I like it. Blends in with the environment, will never need painting like so many of the other bridges around our city. Pretty smart to construct it out of core steel to cut on going maintenance costs.
🙄You wd have to be extremely short to feel like you are in a cage.
You can live in Canberra for all your life, and there’ll still be a park you haven’t yet heard of or been to.
Tim Mak when the bridges are open it’s a lovely big park
Lots of awesome wetlands in O’Connor, Lyneham etc
Tim Mak it’s a fantastic park. Has small and big loops to walk.
Tim Mak I grew up in belconnen and I’ve never heard of it!
An example of a bridge that makes you feel like you are in a cage with restricted viewing is Butters Bridge over the Molonglo. https://tinyurl.com/y6rxbz3t
Nic Williams I don't think the UAP guy is a green. View
Dan Buchler you cannot vote out. You can only elect in or re-elect. That’s how the system works View
Don't trust any of those globalist sellouts. View
Keran Niquet Been overdosing on conspiracy sites I see; likely of US origin. View
What else do you expect from the communist labour government and the greens! View
How many Canberra sheep voted the government in to accommodate the light rail? View
Heather Casey I'm sorry for your loss :( View
Wow that's not good. The ARH gave us wonderful care for our beautiful dog in a middle of the night emergency… View
Ellen Reynolds you want a clinic/vets that goes above and beyond to save your pet at all ours of the… View
If I remember correctly it was summer and the water wasn't cool, it was almost freezing View
Peter Markowiak and the first evidence of a scorpion, that we experienced in Canberra View
Fabio Fabbo yes crawling through the over flow pipe and swimming in it it was bloody cold what I can… View
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