A prominent Queenslander instrumental in the restoration of City Hall has been tasked with examining ways to ensure the Story Bridge continues to serve Brisbane for another 100 years.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner today confirmed Nigel Chamier AM would develop a road map to progress the Story Bridge’s restoration.
Mr Chamier’s report will consider:
- Council’s historical stewardship of the Story Bridge;
- global case studies of other historical bridge restoration projects; and
- options to fund the Story Bridge’s renewal, including support from other levels of government.
Mr Chamier is highly regarded for his role as chair of the City Hall restoration committee from 2008 to 2013 and more recently oversaw the refurbishment of ANZAC Square.
Council has invested around $78 million to restore Story Bridge since 2019, however, more complexities were found as more work was undertaken.
The extensive repairs, which involved progressively stripping back old paint and applying new protective coatings, revealed a myriad of complexities that can only be addressed with a comprehensive restoration.
The Story Bridge is one of Australia’s most recognisable landmarks and the works required to give it another century of life can only be delivered in partnership with all three levels of government.
The Lord Mayor will write to the Prime Minister and Queensland Premier to advise them of Mr Chamier’s appointment and seek their support for the bridge’s renewal.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese helped secure federal funding for the restoration of Brisbane City Hall in 2009 when he was Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government.
The restoration of Brisbane City Hall was supported by Brisbane City Council and the Federal Government, as well as corporate donors and Brisbane residents.
The bridge remains the largest steel bridge designed and built predominantly by Australians from Australian materials.
State Government contractors began construction on Story Bridge in 1935.
It was opened as a toll bridge on 6 July 1940 to a crowd of 37,000 people.
The toll was removed seven years later when the bridge was transferred to Brisbane City Council.
Dr JCC Bradfield, designer of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, modelled the Story Bridge on the Montreal Harbour Bridge (Jacques Cartier Bridge) which was completed in 1930.
The Montreal Harbour Bridge has undergone major repairs and restorations funded by the Government of Canada since the early 2000s.
The New South Wales State Government is currently undertaking a restoration to extend the life of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge, including removing lead paint, repainting and corrosion management.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner:
“Story Bridge is an icon and I’m committed to working with all levels of government so it can continue to serve Brisbane residents for another 100 years.
“While Council has been the steward of the Story Bridge for the last 77 years, the work ahead is beyond our means and will require a team effort from all levels of government.
“I want to thank Nigel for coming on board to help us with this vital restoration project.
“Nigel was instrumental in the heritage restoration of Brisbane City Hall and I’ve asked him to examine how we can give Brisbane’s Story Bridge another century of life.
“Nigel will investigate Council’s stewardship of the bridge as well as other bridge restorations and develop funding options for the renewal.
“Just like state and national governments in Australia and around the world support iconic bridge restorations, we are hopeful we can establish a similar funding partnership for Brisbane’s Story Bridge.
“A major restoration of the Story Bridge won’t just preserve one of Australia’s most recognisable landmarks, it will help keep Brisbane moving.”
Quotes attributable to Nigel Chamier AM:
“It is a privilege to be involved in protecting another Brisbane icon that has helped shape the identity of our City.
“During my time overseeing the City Hall restoration, it became apparent Brisbane residents had profoundly important memories of City Hall where so many key events took place.
“I can’t imagine a Brisbane without the Story Bridge and I know many Brisbane residents feel the same.
“This is an opportunity to look at every possible way to preserve the longevity of this national icon.
“I look forward to working with the Lord Mayor and Cr Wines to ensure we can get another 100 years of life from our landmark bridge.”
Background:
- Dr John Job Crew Bradfield was appointed by the State Government as Consulting Engineer on 15 December 1933.
- Constructed by Evans Deakin-Hornibrook Constructions at a final cost of £1,600,000 ($3,200,000) including property resumptions and interest.
- Premier Forgan Smith turned the bridge’s first sod at Kangaroo Point on 24 May 1935.
- The foundation for the southern main pier was one of the largest in the world at the time, reaching 40 metres below Captain Burke Park.
- At the time of construction, the bridge was the seventh largest of its type in the world and the second largest in Australia after the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
- The Story Bridge was named by Premier Forgan Smith’s Cabinet in 1937 after veteran public servant, John Douglas Story.
- 400 people were employed at peak construction times, with three losing their lives.
- 95 per cent of construction materials were made in Australia and 89 per cent of the cost of construction was expended in Queensland.
- 300,000 bags of cement for the bridge project were supplied by Queensland Cement and Lime Company of Darra.
- Fabrication of steel components was carried out at the Evans Deakin workshop at Rocklea.
- Officially opened 6 July 1940.
- Tolls were sixpence per passenger vehicle, twice the cost of the Sunday-Mail newspaper at the time, but abolished when the bridge was transferred to Brisbane City Council.
- The Story Bridge’s sister bridge, the Montreal Harbour Bridge or Jacques Cartier Bridge, opened five years before the Story Bridge on 24 May 1935.
- Construction on the Montreal Harbour Bridge began almost ten years to the day before the Story Bridge on 24 May 1935.
Story Bridge Fast facts:
- Overall length: 1071 metres
- Height: 80 metres above the river
- 1.25 million steel rivets
- 41,000 cubic metres of concrete
- 17,500 litres of paint required to cover 105,000m2 of metal
