Greenough's convict bridge to re-open

An historic Greenough bridge built by convicts has been re-opened to the public following a $1.23million restoration.

Heritage Minister John Castrilli said the old Maley's bridge was closed to traffic after it was badly damaged by floodwaters from Cyclone Clare in January 2006. 

"The bridge has survived record floods since the mid-1800s and is one of the oldest surviving convict bridges in Western Australia," Mr Castrilli said.

The Minister said that after the floods, the State Government and members of the community were not prepared to see history washed away.

"The State Government provided more than $900,000 to restore the bridge through the Western Australian Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, Heritage Council of WA and Main Roads," he said.

"Additional funding was provided by the City of Geraldton-Greenough and the Federal Government."

Mr Castrilli said Maley's bridge had been a vital link across the Greenough River since its construction in the 1860s.

"The restoration will ensure this limestone and timber bridge continues to play an important role in the community for future generations," he said.

Locally known as the Convict Bridge, a section of the decking collapsed when floodwaters washed away the western span in 2006.  The restoration commenced in 2007 and was delayed when a further flood washed away some of the pylons in February 2008.

Geraldton-Greenough mayor Ian Carpenter said the city needed to ensure it retained its high value heritage infrastructure to ensure future generations could see and understand the collective historic past of the Central Greenough area.

"In years to come, I am sure visitors to the area will appreciate even more the unique history of this area, "Mr Carpenter said.

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney  also welcomed the re-opening of the State Heritage listed bridge and thanked the restorers for their work on this important part of the region's heritage.