The SA Heritage Council has determined that Port Augusta’s Great Western Bridge does not fulfil the criteria for State Heritage listing, despite being almost a century old.
SA Heritage Council chair Sandy Verschoor explained that the bridge, which has been closed since 2017 due to safety concerns, lacks the required cultural significance to be granted heritage status.
The Port Wakefield to Port Augusta (PW2PA) Alliance has been awarded the contract to demolish the bridge on behalf of the SA Government.
However, the City of Port Augusta CEO, John Banks, clarified that decisions about the bridge’s upkeep and future remain under the jurisdiction of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport.
The Department noted that the bridge continues to be a council asset, and discussions are ongoing regarding its fate.
