RICHMOND BRIDGE Conservation Management Plan Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources January 2010 32/13339/39593 Richmond Bridge Conservation Management Plan 1 Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources Executive Summary The Richmond Bridge is a place of outstanding significance to the people of Australia, Tasmania and Richmond. Constructed in 1823-1825, the Bridge is widely recognised as Australia’s oldest bridge that continues to serve its essential role of providing transport infrastructure for locals and visitors alike. In 2005, the Richmond Bridge was included on the National Heritage List, in recognition of its outstanding value to the nation. With the recognition of these values comes the responsibility to ensure that the place continues to be conserved for current and future generations. This responsibility is shared by managers, heritage and planning authorities and users of the Bridge. The Conservation Management Plan is a way to analyse the values of the place, and develop appropriate policies for ongoing conservation. A Conservation Plan was prepared for the Richmond Bridge in 1997. Since that time, there have been substantial and significant changes in the ways in which heritage is assessed and managed in both State and National contexts. The Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (DIER) with financial assistance from the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has commissioned GHD Pty Ltd to review the 1997 Conservation Plan and prepare this current Conservation Management Plan. Chiefly, this project aims to determine how the significance of the place has been retained; address how well the existing policies have been implemented; and as required, determine whether the policies remain appropriate to conserve the significance of the place. The existing 1997 Conservation Plan has been very useful in this respect. The Significance of the Richmond Bridge The Richmond Bridge and its setting is a place of exceptional heritage significance at National, State and Local levels, across a range of values. The Bridge is also deeply valued by the local Richmond community. The Richmond Bridge is Tasmania’s, and Australia’s oldest surviving large bridge, which retains a high degree of integrity and continues to serve its original function. At its completion in 1825, the Bridge had the record of having the longest span of Australia’s bridges, a record not surpassed until 1836. The Bridge is important in demonstrating the early development of Tasmania and the provision of transport infrastructure in response to the growing population and emerging agricultural industry by providing access to the east coast and later Tasman Peninsula. The Bridge is a significant representative example of public works erected by convict labour under the direction of the Royal Engineers. It demonstrates the pivotal role played by convict labour in the early development of the colony. The continued operation of the Bridge since 1825 also demonstrates the skills and technical achievement of bridge design and construction. The Richmond Bridge is an iconic place. The Bridge and its setting is an important place for its aesthetic significance, values that are appreciated locally, within Tasmania and nationally. Its picturesque image has been a continuing source of inspiration for painters, photographers and writers. The Conservation of the Richmond Bridge The purpose of the policies put forward in this Plan are to state how the conservation of the Richmond Bridge and its setting may be achieved both in the short, medium and long term, and is based on an understanding of the cultural significance of the place. Some 103 policies have been prepared. These 32/13339/39593 Richmond Bridge Conservation Management Plan i Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources vary from broad general considerations, to specific items requiring attention. The policies have been grouped into broad areas related to the Bridge and its management. The following summarises the key findings: General Policies The general conservation policies provide the overarching framework for managing the heritage significance of the Richmond Bridge and setting. It begins with recognition of the exceptional significance of the place. From this recognition, the general and detailed policies are developed. The Bridge and setting is comprised of multiple elements. These elements range in their levels of significance. Assessing the levels of cultural significance allows for an understanding the relative values of the elements that form the place and appropriate management practices. Management System The complexity of management for the Richmond Bridge and its setting has potential to cause duplication, a lack of clarity and inefficient processes. On this basis it has been recommended that a coordinated approach to the management and conservation of the Richmond Bridge be adopted. The formation of a management committee would be one way of assisting with this. It would also be one means of involving the community in the ongoing management of the Bridge and setting. Use of the Richmond Bridge and Setting The Bridge is currently used for both vehicular and pedestrian use. The continuing use of the Bridge since 1825 is part of the cultural significance of the place. The riverbank setting has a variety of uses, with tourism and passive recreation being predominant. The recreational use of the riverbanks also forms part of the cultural significance of the place. Managing the Fabric of the Richmond Bridge The Bridge is generally in good condition. However, certain areas require attention. Both broad and specific policies have been prepared. The highest priority has been given to those policies that address the weaknesses of the Bridge and will assist in preventing further damage and ongoing conservation. A contentious issue remains the current 25 tonne vehicle load limit. The 1997 Conservation Plan recommended that the existing 25 tonne load limit should be reduced to 15 tonnes. DIER did not adopt this recommendation. A structural assessment of the Bridge has not been carried out for this Conservation Management Plan. It is recommended that a cautious approach be adopted and DIER should consider reducing the current load limit. This Plan also recommends that a vibration meter be installed on the Bridge as a means of giving early warning of a potential problem resulting from excessive vibrations due to traffic load and speed. Vibration monitoring trials have shown this to be a practical management tool. Should vibration problems be detected, the load and speed limit will need to be reviewed to address the issue. Management of Public Riverbank Land and Infrastructure The public riverbank land forms a crucial part of the significance of the place. It also provides important tourism and passive recreation uses for relaxation, picnics and appreciating the Bridge and surrounds. Conservative policies have been recommended based on the significance, the physical nature of the place, and the limited compatible uses available. 32/13339/39593 Richmond Bridge Conservation Management Plan ii Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources Vegetation Management Vegetation forms an important part of the setting of the Richmond Bridge. The vegetation varies from native riparian reeds along the River, to mature exotic trees. These plantings have heritage value, and varying degrees of significance. Specific vegetation management policies have been developed to assist land managers, including the preparation of a vegetation management plan. It includes general policies on the significance of the plantings; processes when works are proposed; and importantly, the need for long- term management and planning of the historic plantings. River Management After the Bridge, the Coal River is the dominant element of the place. It has important historical and aesthetic values. Enhancing the health of the Coal River brings both environmental and cultural benefits. A matter of concern is the risks the Coal River poses to the Bridge during times of flood. The community has also identified this as an area of concern. It has been recommended that a flood management plan be prepared. Traffic and Road Management Traffic management remains a key concern to the community in terms of damage to the Bridge, impacts on the setting through noise and visual pollution, and the lack of enforcement of speed and load limits. A Traffic Management Plan is currently under review by Clarence City Council and DIER to determine appropriate management solutions. As part of this review, it is recommended that DIER investigate a number of options, including the possibility of installing a permanent speed camera; pedestrian safety; and Intelligent Access Recording on permit vehicle movement. Interpretation Interpretation refers to all the ways of presenting the significance of the place. At present, there is limited on site interpretation. Careful consideration should be given to any further on-site interpretation structures that could potentially compromise the values and character of the place. There could be benefits from considering further interpretation of the Bridge and setting as part of Visitor Management and Interpretation Plan for Richmond as a whole. Further Assessment Work The current assessment of the heritage significance of the Richmond Bridge may not be representative of all the values that could be present at the place. Specifically, it is recommended that