Heritage expert's report on Council's 3 bridge options gives hope.

Hello Everyone,

Much appreciation to those who completed Council's survey.

We now have some encouraging news. The Save Cuttagee Bridge group commissioned a professional report into Council's 3 options. This is their press release. It was also sent out as an email from Bermagui Community Forum, so apologies if you have already heard. We will have to wait to see what Council's reaction is.

October 8 2025

It’s not too late to improve the design of Cuttagee Bridge options, says leading heritage expert

The Save Cuttagee Bridge campaign has commissioned a professional opinion from globally renowned heritage and conservation expert, Professor Richard Mackay AM. This follows widespread disappointment at the design proposals put forward by Bega Valley Council for the replacement of Cuttagee Bridge. The report is attached. 

Over 70% of respondents to the Council’s own survey expressed the support for a new bridge at Cuttagee that respects the heritage values of the existing bridge. On April 15 2025, the Council voted unanimously in support of a heritage sensitive outcome. Yet all three options put forward by the Council on September 8 2025 are flawed from a heritage perspective, says Professor Mackay. 

Professor Mackay was asked to examine the three options and give his professional opinion about the extent to which any of them meet the Council’s commitment to a heritage-driven outcome. His conclusions are highly critical of the process and the proposed designs:

Professor Mackay’s findings state: 

“..as the Bridge is a recognised heritage item, and in public ownership, upgrade or replacement should be conceived and implemented as a conservation project. 

Consistent with the Burra Charter of Australia ICOMOS and the objectives of the Bega Valley Local Environmental Plan 2013, the appropriate approach to upgrading or replacing the Bridge, should be to provide a functional, safe and cost-effective outcome which retains its identified heritage attributes. 

In particular, although providing effective structural solutions, the presented options do not embrace important characteristics of the Bridge which support its heritage values – such as the timber deck and superstructure, and importantly the way in which the Bridge is experienced. 

Recent works to the Wallaga Lake Bridge by Transport for NSW illustrate how it is possible to address contemporary transport needs and safety requirements for a timber beam bridge on the same route, while providing an appropriate heritage outcome.

While the current community consultative process is acknowledged, the heritage impact of the exhibited options should have been presented”. 

Given the community’s unambiguous support for an outcome that truly reflects the heritage of the bridge, and Prof Mackay’s advice that more can be done to achieve this, we call on the Bega Valley Council and their consultants to consider Prof Mackay’s report and intervene before the designs are developed further. 

It is not too late to produce a solution that reinstates heritage values as the central and guiding principle of the bridge project. Taking this step now will honour this iconic heritage asset and preserve an important source of economic and cultural benefit for our region, as well as respecting the wishes of the local community.