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NEWTOWN BRIDGE PRECINCT
SPRING CREEK, BRIDGE ROAD BEECHWORTH, INDIGO SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Register
NEWTOWN BRIDGE PRECINCT SOHE 2008
NEWTOWN BRIDGE PRECINCT SOHE 2008
NEWTOWN BRIDGE PRECINCT SOHE 2008
newtown bridge precinct beechworth side elevation
newtown bridge precinct beechworth detail of bridge arch & keystone
newtown bridge precinct beechworth side wall of bridge
newtown bridge precinct beechworth plan
H1424 newtown bridge plan b
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Statement of Significance

What is significant?

The Newtown Bridge is a single arch granite bridge built c.1875. The bridge spans over Spring Creek at Beechworth and is 24.8 metres long with a kerb to kerb width of 6.3 metres. The arch span measures 15.5 metres overall. The apex of the arch is adorned with two superimposed keystones while the lower (actual) keystone has been somewhat dislocated. The upper stone marks the centre of the smooth faced assailing course of granite. The capping stones have two carved weathering strips which run along the full length of the parapet. The weathering groove is open-ended thus allowing water to run off the surface of the capping stones. The parapet walls form an elegant curve at both ends while the darker coloured capping stones provide a distinctive contrast against the lighter stones of the parapet walls.

How is it significant?

The Newtown Bridge is of architectural and historical importance to the State of Victoria

Why is it significant?

The Newtown Bridge is of architectural significance as an outstanding example of a large granite bridge and is important for the quality of its masonry work. The structure is an intact and representative example of a vernacular engineering tradition and demonstrates the use of local dimension stone and Scottish stonemason skills. The bridge is distinguished by its stone smooth faced string courses, rusticated parapet cappings, voussoirs and the far reaching and elegant span of the single arch.

The Newtown Bridge is of historical significance for its association with the gold mining era and the consequent growth of Beechworth, one of Victoria's most significant historic townships. The granite bridge replaced an earlier timber structure, which had been built further upstream c.1854, and it was constructed to facilitate transport and mark the entrance to the town The Bridge is also of significance for its association with the mining race over which it spans. The solid granite race was constructed in 1856 and was cut to drain the Spring Creek flats to enable miners to scour previously abandoned claims.

The bridge is of historical significance for its ability to illustrate the growth of the Beechworth township and it also provides a greater understanding of the development and impact of 19th century gold mining activities in the State. Due to the gold rushes of the 1850s rapid growth in economic activity occurred in Australia. Investment in roads and railways helped establish the national transport system and bridges formed important links in this expanding network. The Newtown Bridge is historically significant for its association with the expansion of Victoria's infrastructure in the 1870s and for its role in the development of transport systems.

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    • Permit Exemptions

      NEWTOWN BRIDGE PRECINCT - Permit Exemptions

      General Exemptions:

      General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.

      Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.

      Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.

      Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions.

      Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.

      Specific Exemptions:

      EXEMPTIONS FROM PERMITS:
      (Classes of works or activities which may be undertaken without a permit under
      Part 4 of the Heritage Act 1995)

      General Conditions:
      All alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents
      damage to the fabric of the registered place or object.
      Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of
      alterations that original or previously hidden or inaccessible details of the
      place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place or
      object, then the exemption covering such alteration shall cease and the
      Executive Director shall be notified as soon as possible.
      If there is a conservation policy and plan approved by the Executive Director,
      all works shall be in accordance with it.
      Nothing in this declaration prevents the Executive Director from amending or
      rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions.
      Nothing in this declaration exempts owners or their agents from the
      responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the
      responsible authority where applicable.

      No permit required for routine maintenance of the Newtown Bridge

      No permit required to replace like with like on the Newtown Bridge.

Public contributions

Note: Developments may span multiple time periods
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