Residents farewell old faithful Bullawa Creek bridge

Nostalgia was in the air as Eulah Creek residents and representatives of local families gathered to farewell the Bullawa Creek bridge.

The timber bridge, with its metal trusses on top, has withstood the test of time and faithfully served the community since the 1950s.

Demolition work will soon take place to enable the construction of a new bridge.

While welcoming a new bridge, residents will bid a sad farewell when the current structure comes down.

The bridge has served as a beautiful backdrop for wedding and school formal photographs as well as memories from other celebrations. Eulah Creek residents have voiced concern about facing possible isolation should the creek crossing be unusable if there is too much water in the Bullawa Creek following wet weather events.

Locals have received assurances from local emergency services and construction contractors in relation to their worries.

Eulah Creek locals also hope to keep the timber from the bridge for community use.

In a recent report written by Fay Barrett, she detailed the history leading up to the construction of the Bullawa Creek bridge.

As early as 1934, farmers of Eulah Creek, at their Agricultural Bureau meeting, voted to form a deputation of residents to meet with the then Namoi Shire Council regarding the urgent need for a bridge to allow them to cross Bullawa Creek and then onwards to Narrabri.

The only crossing available at that time was through the creek bed.

When heavy rain flooded, or partially flooded the creek, this often left the residents stranded.

Residents made numerous pleas to Namoi Shire Council over the intervening years.

The shire council was at that time responsible for rural areas, and the Municipal Council cared for the town.

The crossing at Bullawa Creek was in very poor condition, flooding caused great havoc, a storm in the mountains was sufficient to bring the waters down, blocking the road.

It had a gravel bottom which shifted often, resulting in a very dangerous situation.

The council acknowledged the justice of the residents’ claim, but pointed out their difficulty was, as usual, financial.

They suggested an application be made for a grant, and the importance of the produce of the area to be stressed when the application is made.

Council would make an application for 50 per cent of the cost of a new bridge.

In 1948, survey work began for the proposed bridge over Bullawa Creek, on Eulah Creek Road. The site selected was several chains downstream from the present crossing.

To the relief of all concerned, a Bailey Bridge was chosen and on May 28, 1951, tenders were invited for the construction of a bridge, comprising one, 112 foot steel military truss span, and three timber beam approach spans, over Bullawa Creek on Eulah Creek Road, eight miles from Narrabri.

In 1952, pile driving for abutment on the site was completed.

Excavation for the foundation of the main piers was commenced, leading to the bridge’s welcome completion.