Save Cuttagee Bridge group garners widespread support for timber bridges

Residents used the recent NSW local elections to harness support from incoming councillors to prevent what they've called a potential misdirection of funds.

Save Cuttagee Bridge advocates want Bega Valley Shire Council to fix the Tathra-Bermagui Road timber bridge, one of several coastal bridges slated for a concrete replacement.

The single-lane bridge recently had its load limit reduced to 10 tonnes and speed limit reduced to five kilometres following an independent assessment which found the 95 year-old bridge was nearing its end of life.

A Bega council commissioned report found any upgrade or repair work would likely only strengthen the bridge in the short term.

"The associated cost of replacing the whole superstructure, using the current substructure is not recommended as the substructure is also progressing towards failure. Hence replacement of the bridge is highly recommended," the report found.

Urgent repair works will take place in January which may see the maximum load limit reinstated to 15 tonne in 2022.

Bega recently obtained $9 million in state funding to replace 12 other timber bridges in the shire, from the NSW government's $500 million Fixing Country Bridges program.

Asked whether the council had applied for funding to replace Cuttagee Bridge in round two which is currently being assessed, a spokesperson confirmed it had applied for funding for nine bridges.

"To maintain the integrity of the funding round and to ensure we do not create expectations within the community about the success or otherwise of our application, we cannot go into any further detail at this stage," the spokesperson said.

Bermagui resident Sheena Boughen said Bega council managed timber bridges at Murrah, Sandy Creek and Brockolo are also at risk of being replaced with concrete.

Ms Boughen said the timber bridges have an important impact on the entire character of the coastal region.

She said the one-lane bridge forcing drivers to slow down and wave to incoming traffic was an asset.

Commentary from the 800 people who responded to a survey the residents group put out focused on what the development of the road would do to the coast.

"Heritage items like the South Coast's wooden bridges are irreplaceable and once lost would irredeemably change the iconic landscape of our beautiful region forever," one respondent wrote.

"They mark the change from city life to local," another said.

Ms Boughen said the battle to save the timber bridge was endemic of a bigger problem marked by a conservative council ignoring the needs of the community in favour of a quick-fix cheaper solution.

She said the Save Cuttagee Bridge group was hopeful a new council for 2022 would prioritise the heritage bridges, after 14 of the 18 candidates pledged to restore rather than replace.

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"We don't roll over in this town," Ms Boughen said.

Ms Boughen said cultural tourism was the greatest area for growth and income in the area and the timber bridges were an important element of that.

"Hopefully, a younger and more progressive council can see that opportunity," she said.

Timber bridge advocate Joanna Cave said once they're gone the unique character of the coast would be forever changed.

"This region needs to be defined by something unique and special. We've just come out of bushfires and had drought before and after that," she said.

"If you have concrete bridges you could be anywhere in the world, it's just not so interesting."