Nowra Bridge, Shoalhaven River
The project
Location: Nowra Bridge on Dharwharal Country
In response to community consultation, Artefact worked to conserve a State heritage-listed 1881 Whipple truss bridge in Nowra while balancing amenity against heritage values.
As part of a major Princes Highway upgrade, Transport for NSW (formerly Roads and Maritime Services) evaluated options for crossing the Shoalhaven River at Nowra. The Nowra Bridge is also a local landmark, with RMS receiving 720 submissions during the community consultation process.
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SMEC for Transport for NSW (formerly NSW Roads & Maritime Services).
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Conservation Management Plan
Heritage Impact Assessment
Heritage Interpretation Strategy
Heritage solution
RMS appointed construction engineers SMEC to deliver a preferred option. Seeking authoritative heritage advice, SMEC commissioned Artefact to prepare a Conservation Management Plan for the Nowra Bridge.
The Plan incorporated historical, engineering and social values to confirm that the bridge is State Significant. This Plan suggested that RMS consider alternative crossing options, while detailing policies to guide future works on the bridge.
Moving to an advanced feasibility study, RMS evaluated alternative locations for a new bridge. They engaged Artefact to explore potential impacts on local Aboriginal cultural heritage and non-Aboriginal heritage as identified in the Conservation Management Plan.
Management and mitigation measures were put in place to conserve heritage values where possible. The new $342 million Nowra Bridge will deliver greater traffic capacity, while removing current weight and height restrictions.
Artefact also worked with Aboriginal stakeholders to deliver the Aboriginal Heritage Interpretation Strategy for the project.