Home    Listings    Heritage Databases    Heritage Database Search    Heritage Item Click on the BACK button of your browser to return to the previous page.

Item
Name of Item:	Bridge over Five Day Creek
Type of Item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Transport - Land
Category:	Road Bridge
Location:	Lat:152.38274266 Long:-30.78278513
Primary Address:	Main Road 75, Kempsey, NSW 2440
Local Govt. Area:	Kempsey
Property Description: Lot/Volume Code Lot/Volume Number Section Number Plan/Folio Code Plan/Folio Number
All Addresses
Street Address Suburb/Town LGA Parish County Type Main Road 75  Kempsey  Kempsey      Primary  Armidale Road  Kempsey  Kempsey      Alternate
Owner/s Organisation Name Owner Category Date Ownership Updated Roads & Traffic Authority  State Government
Statement of Significance	This bridge is a McDonald timber truss road bridge. Timber truss road bridges were extensively used in New South Wales because of the high quality of local hardwoods and the shortage of steel during the early decades of settlement of the state. The timber truss was highly developed for bridges in New South Wales, perhaps more so than anywhere else in the world at that time. The McDonald truss is a significant evolutionary link in the development of timber road bridges in New South Wales and has three standard span lengths, 65'/19.96m, 75'/22.86m and 90'27.43m . At March 1998 there were seven McDonald truss road bridges remaining in New South Wales, the principle characteristic of this bridge is the 75' truss and single span configuration. It has been assessed as being of State Significance. Date Significance Updated: 13 Sep 05 Note: There are incomplete details for a number of items listed in NSW. The Heritage Branch intends to develop or upgrade statements of significance and other information for these items as resources become available.
Description
Designer/Maker:	John McDonald
Builder/Maker:	NSW Public Works
Construction Years:	1892 - 1892
Physical Description:	The bridge consists of one 75' (22.86m) truss span with two timber girder spans (one 25' (7.62m) and one 30'(9.14m)) on the Kempsey side and four timber girder spans (one 30' (9.14m) and three at 25' (7.62m) at the other. All are supported by timber piers with timber piles driven into the stream bed. The bridge width is 15' (4.57m) between kerbs at the narrowest part of the truss spans.
Physical Condition and/or Archaeological Potential:	Generally fair to good condition with maintenance by the RTA as it is a functioning road bridge.   Date Condition Updated: 13 Sep 05
Current Use:	Road bridge
Former Use:	Road bridge
History
Historical Notes:	RTA records indicate that it was built in 1892 for a cost of 2562 pounds.
Historic Themes
Australian Theme (abbrev) New South Wales Theme Local Theme 3. Economy - Developing local, regional and national economies Transport - Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements (none) -
Assessment of Significance
SHR Criteria a) [Historical Significance]	McDonald truss bridges have historical significance because timber truss bridges were developed and refined in Australia to achieve the highest level of timber bridge construction for the time of their design and the McDonald truss is an important recognisable design in the evolution of timber truss bridges in NSW.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic Significance]	McDonald truss bridges have aesthetic significance because they are evocative of Australian methods of bridge construction, in their materials, scale and configuration they reflect and express nineteenth century technologies and experiences and for the time of their design and construction they demonstrate the best quality design available.
SHR Criteria d) [Social Significance]	McDonald truss bridges have social significance because their size and location contribute directly to the local area and they are a strong element in the local address.
Assessment Criteria	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.
Procedures /Exemptions
Section of Act Description Title Comments Action Date 57(2)  Exemption to allow work  Standard Exemptions  SCHEDULE OF STANDARD EXEMPTIONS HERITAGE ACT 1977 Notice of Order Under Section 57 (2) of the Heritage Act 1977 I, the Minister for Planning, pursuant to subsection 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales, do by this Order: 1. revoke the Schedule of Exemptions to subsection 57(1) of the Heritage Act made under subsection 57(2) and published in the Government Gazette on 22 February 2008; and 2. grant standard exemptions from subsection 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977, described in the Schedule attached. FRANK SARTOR Minister for Planning Sydney, 11 July 2008 To view the schedule click on the Standard Exemptions for Works Requiring Heritage Council Approval link below.  Sep 5 2008
	Standard Exemptions for Works Requiring Heritage Council Approval
Listings
Heritage Listing Listing Title Listing Number Gazette Date Gazette Number Gazette Page Heritage Act - State Heritage Register    01468  20 Jun 00   -  -  Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register  Roads & Traffic s.170
References, Internet links & Images
Type Author Year Title Internet Links Tourism    2007  Bridge over Five Day Creek  Click here Tourism  Attraction Homepage  2007  Bridge over Five Day Creek  Click here
Note: Internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.
(Click on Thumbnail for Full Size Image and Image Details)
Data Source
The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage Branch
Database Number:	5051370
Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in the State Heritage Inventory is correct. If you find any errors or omissions please send your comments to the Database Manager. All information and pictures on this page are the copyright of the Heritage Branch or respective copyright owners.