Victoria Bridge at Picton Conservation Management Plan Roads and Maritime Services | October 2018 BLANK PAGE Victoria Bridge at Picton Conservation Management Plan Roads and Maritime Services | October 2018 Prepared by Roads and Maritime Services Copyright: The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of NSW Roads and Maritime Services. In keeping with the NSW Government’s commitment to encourage the availability of information, you are welcome to reproduce the material that appears in this Conservation Management Plan for personal, in-house or non-commercial use without formal permission or charge. All other rights are reserved. If you wish to reproduce, alter, store or transmit material appearing in the ‘Victoria Bridge at Picton Conservation Management Plan’ for any other purpose, a request for formal permission should be directed to Roads and Maritime Services, 20-44 Ennis Road, Milsons Point NSW 2061. Document controls Approval and authorisation Title Victoria Bridge at Picton Conservation Management Plan Accepted on behalf of NSW Roads and Maritime Services by: Sally Durham, Director Environment Regions Signed: Dated: 31/1/19 Executive summary The purpose of this Conservation Management Plan (CMP) is to guide the conservation and management of Victoria Bridge, ensuring a continuing role and use in the life of the community. Description of the Item Victoria Bridge over Stonequarry Creek at Picton is an Allan type timber truss bridge which has been assessed as being of State significance, and is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register (SHR). The bridge is located on Prince Street in the township of Picton in the Shire of Wollondilly approximately 82 km southwest of Sydney. The bridge spans a steep valley and is particularly picturesque. Victoria Bridge was constructed by the Department of Public Works in 1897 and is under the care and control of Roads and Maritime Services (Roads and Maritime). The bridge is approximately 80 m long and 6 m wide, consisting of three 90 foot (90’ or 27.432 m) Allan type truss spans. The three spans are supported on two timber trestle piers and two timber abutments. The bridge carries a pedestrian footway and a single lane of light traffic with a five tonne posted load limit. Victoria Bridge is important to the local and regional community, being highly esteemed for its historical value and its contribution to the town’s sense of identity as a historical town. It is also of substantial importance for its amenity, providing a vital link for pedestrians, and an important bypass to reduce congestion in the main part of town. Statement of Significance Victoria Bridge at Picton is of State significance as an early example of an Allan truss road bridge. As a timber truss road bridge, it has strong associations with the expansion of the road network and economic activity throughout New South Wales, and with Percy Allan (1861-1930), then Chief Draftsman, an eminent engineer, and the designer of this truss type. Allan became Chief Engineer, National and Local Government Works, and made considerable contributions to various engineering institutions both in Australia and overseas. He was awarded a Telford Premium for one of his papers. Allan trusses were the third in the five-stage development of New South Wales timber truss road bridges. The trusses took advantage of the available high quality NSW hardwoods, known to be among the strongest and most durable in the world. The design is an example of innovative and efficient timber engineering in a time when budgets were tight. The evolution in design shows the growing knowledge of timber as a structural material, the increasing difficulty in obtaining long timbers of large cross-section, and the need for durable and maintainable bridge designs. The bridge exhibits the technical excellence of its design, as the structural details which distinguish it as an Allan truss are clearly visible, considerably assisted by the designated pedestrian access which has been provided along the length of the bridge from which excellent views can be obtained of almost all of the structural design details. These design details would otherwise be almost impossible to appreciate on a bridge of this scale given the very limited views from off the bridge. An outstanding feature of Victoria Bridge is the very tall timber trestle piers on which the trusses are supported, the tallest piers of their type in New South Wales. The bridge displays the original colour scheme and largely performs the function for which it was originally designed, which was to carry traffic and pedestrians. Victoria Bridge is representative at the State level as a fine example of an Allan truss bridge, including all of the principal characteristics of the early 90’ Allan truss design, and also due to its integrity to the original Victoria Bridge at Picton i Conservation Management Plan design as an early Allan truss. It is also outstanding due to the esteem in which it is held, particularly by the local community. Conservation Policies The following table details conservation policies which apply to Victoria Bridge. All policies that apply to the suite of timber truss bridges across New South Wales are set out comprehensively in the Overarching Conservation Management Plan (2018). Policy 1 Retention of the cultural significance of Victoria Bridge a) Cultural significance of this bridges will be protected or enhanced b) Conservation will be in accordance with the principles of the Burra Charter c) All current and future owners, managers and consent authorities will be advised and jointly responsible for conservation d) Conservation will be done in collaboration with relevant experts Policy 2 Adoption, implementation and review of the CMP a) Roads and Maritime will adopt this CMP b) Roads and Maritime will resource implementation of this CMP c) Roads and Maritime will train relevant staff in the use of this CMP d) Roads and Maritime will make this CMP available to the public e) Roads and Maritime will review this CMP every five years and submit to the Heritage Council for endorsement Policy 3 Use of the bridge a) The continued use of Victoria Bridge as a functioning crossing for vehicles and pedestrians is integral to its cultural significance and survival. New work will be required to adapt to changing transportation needs. Policy 4 Maintenance and repair a) Appropriate ongoing repair and maintenance will be carried out b) Roads and Maritime will prepare an Incident Response Plan for Victoria Bridge c) The bridge will be maintained to support both functionality and form d) The bridge will be regularly inspected by specialists. e) Termites will be inspected for and treated. f) Necessary support structures may be used for maintenance and repair but will be temporary and removed when no longer needed. Policy 5 New work a) Elements will be conserved in accordance with their level of significance b) New works and adaptations may be required to ensure continued operability c) Excellence in design and quality in construction will be provided d) Roads and Maritime will explore and develop the use of new means by with the bridges may continue to fulfil their required functions e) Approvals will be undertaken in accordance with relevant processes Victoria Bridge at Picton ii Conservation Management Plan Policy 6 Interpretation a) Cultural significance of this bridge will be effectively communicated b) Interpretation of Victoria bridge will be based on the NSW State historical themes and analyses documented in this CMP c) Roads and Maritime will design and install a sign and a plaque an interpretation of a timber bottom chord. Policy 7 Protection and enhancement of visual setting a) Development in the vicinity is to be carefully managed not to have an unacceptable visual impact b) Signage in the vicinity should be minimized c) Vegetation in the vicinity of the bridges should be kept to a minimum d) Relevant planning and statutory controls must be adhered to Policy 8 Archival recording a) Records will be managed to ensure permanent retention as State records b) Photographic archival recording before, during and after any works c) A complete archival recording will be undertaken of Victoria bridge d) Full documentation of methods and materials used during any works e) Representative sample retained as a moveable heritage collection f) Information used to assist effective heritage interpretation of population Policy 9 Archaeology a) Relevant Aboriginal stakeholders will be consulted about any proposed impact b) The Roads and Maritime Cultural Heritage Guidelines and the archaeological provisions of the Heritage Act 1977 will be adhered to. c) The Roads and Maritime Unexpected Heritage Items Procedure will be followed to manage any unexpected finds during works Policy 10 Exemptions and Approvals a) Routine maintenance (Appendix A Table 1) can proceed without notification to the Heritage Council. b) Works identified in Table 2 in Appendix A will need approval/consent advice sought from the Heritage Division regarding the nature/type of approval required prior to works being planned. c) Works identified in Table 3 in Appendix A will need approval in writing from the Heritage Council or delegate. Bridge Specific Policies Policy 11 Top Chords Policy 12 Bottom Chords Policy 13 Principals and Diagonals Policy 14 Tension Rods Policy 15 Cast Iron Shoes Victoria Bridge at Picton iii Conservation Management Plan Policy 16 Sway Braces Policy 17 Cross Girders Policy 18 Stringers and Decking Policy 19 Railing Policy 20 Piers Policy 21 Abutments Bridge Specific Conservation Policies and Conservation Works In order to adequately demonstrate the strength and durability of the materials or original design, timber truss bridges must remain a vital part of the NSW road infrastructure, which necessitates some elements being modified as transport needs develop. The cultural significance of Victoria Bridge is found primarily in the trusses so it is critical that any work on the bridge does not detract from the interpretation or appreciation of the Allan trusses.