$354 000 spent on new forest bridge
From the Summer 2006 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
Forests NSW has spent $354 000 on a new bridge over the Little Murray River to Campbell’s Island State Forest, a few kilometres downstream of Barham.
Forests NSW operations forester, Mick Lalor, said the steel and concrete bridge, constructed by Nelmac Pty Ltd from Yackandandah in Victoria, was 44 metres long, 3.6 metres wide and 5 metres above the river.
“The red gum timber bridge that was constructed in the late 1950s provided the only access to the island, and the new bridge will continue to provide vital access for timber harvesting, fire protection, tourism and control of noxious weeds,” he said.
The bridge forms a significant part of Forests NSW roading infrastructure, which is necessary to manage a valuable, renewable state-owned river red gum timber resource.
“The river red gum forests support a viable timber industry that is the lifeblood of numerous communities in the Riverina, and Forests NSW is committed to maintaining an efficient road network to provide ongoing access for all forest users,” Mick said.
“They are ‘working forests’, managed on a sustainable basis to provide an array of forest-based activities including timber production, beekeeping, recreation, eco-tourism, conservation, grazing and water management.
“The red gum harvested from Campbell’s Island State Forest supplies a range of customers whose products are suitable for the manufacture of high-quality furniture, infrastructure such as ports, wharves, bridges and railways, and cladding the hulls of the Murray River paddle steamers.”
Public Affairs & Media, Albury
