noosa-heads

                                                                                                                             6
In view of the uniqueness of the 1929 bridge and of the fond memories it generated for local residents, it was decided to
retain the presence of the structure, and suggestions were made to build a replica of it. Consequently a working group
under the leadership of then Councillor Joe Dodd coordinated community and council resources which resulted in the
formation of the `Friends of the Old Weyba Bridge'.12 The aims of this group were to either restore or replace the old
bridge in some way and a meeting was held on 27 August 1992 to resolve the issue. 13 Present were the Deputy Shire
Engineer and Publicity Officer, members of the public, in particular Mr John Ollier and his wife, Ivy, and Richard Burke, a
son of T.M. Burke.14
The existing bridge was the result of the work of the Friends of the Old Weyba Bridge. It was costed by Noosa Council at
$283 717, which figure included work to completely remove the old bridge. 15 Funding was assisted by the sale of timber
and other artefacts from the old bridge made into memorabilia such as coffee tables or even small plank sections into
which were embedded bridge nails. These items in themselves helped keep some memory of the old bridge alive, as well
as assisting with funding.16 No record can be found, however, of the amount of funds raised by this action.
6.1.2        HISTORICAL THEMES
Not applicable
6.1.3        POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANCE
As a 1993 bridge built in a different location to the original and used for a different purpose to the original (ie. Pedestrian
bridge only), the bridge has no cultural significance.
It forms an alternative crossing of Weyba Creek for pedestrians and cyclists and thus separates them from the high
volume traffic using the main road bridge. It thus contains some significance as a safety utility.
6.1.4        INTEGRITY
Although the new bridge is definitely reminiscent of the old one it is by no means a carbon copy of it and as such cannot
by any means be cast as a replica. It does, nevertheless, retain a certain ambience in relation to its surroundings and
gives a hint of the old bridge's character.
It is constructed of timber as was the old structure and this helps to keep the overall aestheticism of the precinct it
creates.




12
     Noosa Council Archival Files.
13
     ibid.
14
     ibid.
15
     ibid.
16
     ibid.