The world’s oldest continuously operating electric swing span bridge, which still carries pedestrians and cyclists from Pyrmont to Sydney’s CBD, is being replaced truss by truss – using 800 tons of hardwood timbers from NSW’s State Forests. It comes after Forestry Corporation of NSW took experts from Placemaking NSW (managers of the Prymont Bridge) and Transport for NSW (responsible for maintaining 27 bridges) on a tour of the Responsible Wood-certified forests, where trees are selected before being processed into large-section hardwoods.
Part of a decade-long restoration project, funded in part by a $59.6 million contribution from the NSW Government, the bridge comprises two steel and twelve timber spans, all sourced from north-coast timbers: “This was a fantastic opportunity to connect the dots between sustainable forest management and heritage timber bridge preservation,” according to Carl Broockmann, who, as part of Broockmann Water Advisory, helps governments plan essential infrastructure. “It’s great to see how our work in the forest directly supports the longevity of some of the state’s most treasured landmarks and most important public infrastructure.”
Manufactured by Coffs Harbour Hardwoods – who last week welcomed Premier Minns to its Glenreagh plant – Wood Central understands that, given the shortage of large-section hardwood now available for bridges, a special order had to be placed with Forestry Corporation to access logs for the massive girders. “(Importantly) high-quality and durable timbers of large diameter with specific strength and durability requirements are needed for the Pyrmont Bridge restoration that are only available in NSW native forests,” according to David Glasson, who spoke to Forestry Corporation about the visit yesterday.
According to Alan Pottie, from Transport for NSW, many of the bridges maintained by the state require restoration over the coming decade, and thus will require a steady supply of hardwood timber coming from the north coast: “These structures require premium-grade timbers such as Ironbark, Tallowwood, and Blackbutt—species native to NSW and not available anywhere else in the world,” he said.
Yesterday, Wood Central revealed that Premier Minns would make a “captain’s call” on the Great Koala National Park – a decision that will have enormous consequences for the future supply of hardwoods used in bridges, utility poles and other essential services. The visit, handpicked by Minns and his handlers, comes after Wood Central revealed that the government could break from the hard left and rethink an additional 176,000-hectares to the existing 136,000-hectare Park amid concerns over supply of building materials and the cost of living crisis. Dubbed a “win-win-win” for the community, industry and the environment, the decision could see the enlarged park shrink from 176,000 hectares to between 36,000 and 57,000 hectares – which would be added to the 136,000 hectares of protected National Park.
- To learn more about the Prymont Bridge, click here for Wood Central’s special feature from March 2025.
