Councillors in New South Wales have voted to replace the aging Cuttagee Bridge with a double-lane concrete structure. Built in 1892, the bridge is part of a scenic tourist route from Bermagui to Tathra. However, it is nearing the end of its functional lifespan and poses a risk of structural failure.

The decision to replace the bridge has sparked considerable public interest. Earlier this year, three design options were presented for community feedback. The first option proposed a single-lane concrete bridge with timber elements for a shared pathway and handrails. The second option suggested a two-lane bridge with similar timber features. The third option, which was ultimately selected, called for a double-lane concrete bridge with a concrete shared pathway and handrails.

In a council meeting on Wednesday, Bega Valley Shire councillors voted five to four in favor of the double-lane concrete design. Councillor Tony Allen, who supported this option, emphasized the need for a bridge that could withstand natural disasters like floods and fires. "The issue for me personally is I don't like wood anywhere in the vicinity of a bridge," Allen stated. He noted that all bridges built in the shire since 1971 have been made of concrete and steel, arguing that this option would reduce maintenance and repair needs.

Conversely, Councillor Helen O'Neil opposed the concrete design, advocating for the first option instead. She argued that it would better preserve the bridge's heritage and respect the surrounding environment. "It's a very special place, not one to whiz through at 80 kilometres per hour on two lanes," O'Neil said. "We must not put a stock-standard bridge that would look better on the Princes Highway."

Following the council's decision, the preferred design will move into the detailed design and development phase. NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison issued a statement expressing disappointment with the decision. "While I'm disappointed that Council has decided to proceed with a design that does not uphold the heritage of the current bridge, I respect the decision of the Council," she said. Aitchison emphasized the importance of ensuring a safe connection for emergencies, despite the community's desire to maintain the bridge's heritage value.

Cuttagee Bridge is one of five single-lane wooden bridges along a 43-kilometer stretch of the Bega Valley coastline. In 2021, the Bega Valley Shire Council announced the need to replace the aging structure, which led to community backlash. By 2024, the council had secured $15 million from the NSW government for the project.

The council's decision was met with discontent from some residents who attended the meeting. Philip Coates, a Barragga Bay resident for 25 years, expressed his disappointment. "Terrible. It's shambolic," he said. "They haven't listened to the community whatsoever. It's going to come back at council, I imagine, in a big way." Although Coates was not in favor of any of the proposed designs, he believed option one could serve as a compromise and felt there was still an opportunity to amend the designs. "The fight is not lost yet," he added. "It's just a concrete blob. It's a highway bridge."