The bridge that saved the North now overlooked

Most bushwalkers these days go under the Gordon Creek Bridge rather than accross it

Gordon Creek Bridge lacks the reputation of other bridges in Sydney, not even bushwalkers who stumble across the old 80-metre long bridge in East Killara are allowed to cross it these days. Nonetheless, the bridge has a historical value, which is why John Balint is fighting to keep it standing.

"For many years on my walks through the bush I often wondered about the origins of the old timber bridge over Gordon Creek." Says Balint. "My research has led me to discover the fascinating story of Sydney's early sewerage development, the important role that the Gordon Creek Bridge played in this, and has led me to try to save this historic structure from certain demolition."

With a plague sweeping through inner city Sydney in the early 1900s, many a healthy soul flocked to the North Shore to escape the disease. While these opportunists may have avoided one health problem, the North Shore was ill equipped to deal with large amounts of sewerage, a situation that could cause yet another bout of disease.

Chatswood had a septic treatment plant, as did other spots along the shoreline of North Sydney, yet north of Chatswood, there was nothing as established or elaborate.

Enter Ernest De Burgh, Chief Engineer of a new project that would bring the North Shore into the 20th Century of sewerage technology.

"An important part of the system for Ku-ring-gai was the West Middle Harbour sub-main extension north along the western side of Middle Harbour to collect sewage from Lindfield, Killara and Gordon." Says Balint. "This was completed in 1927 and involved tunnelling through the rocky ridges of East Lindfield and East Killara."

The Gordon Creek Bridge is one of the few remaining pieces of evidence of this important engineering feat, yet sadly the old bridge has been deemed unsafe and sits unused. Despite a heritage assessment in 2003 citing the bridge as having high local heritage significance, there are few steps being taken to save the historical relic.

"In the meantime the bridge is still under threat of demolition and is effectively being demolished through neglect." Balint is hopeful though, explaining that there are hopes of more assessment being done in 2006 to estimate the cost of repair.

A tour of the bridge will be one of the highlights of The National Trust Heritage Festival 2006. For more information contact Janine Kitson on 9498 2402.