The 115 year old Wheelers Bridge over Birchs' Creek has been identified by Engineering Heritage Australia as one of the earliest bridges built by Monash & Anderson to the Monier Patents in Victoria.
The National Heritage Recognition Program conducted by Engineers Australia through Engineering Heritage Victoria has unveild an interpretation panel and Engineering Heritage Marker at GZ not far from and a good vantage point to take in Wheelers Bridge.
Wheelers Bridge is a very early example of a reinforced concrete bridge and is the third bridge in Victoria built to the Monier patents. The bridge was designed by Monash and Anderson and this company also carried out much of the construction. The bridge was completed in early 1900 and was tested and opened on 30 March 1900.
It was named Wheelers Bridge after James Henry Wheeler who represented the district in the Legislative Assembly for more than 20 years between 1864 and 1900.
Despite early concerns over the safety of the spandrel walls which were bulging outwards, the bridge still stands today. It carries the Creswick-Lawrence Road over Birch Creek. A 15 tonne load limit has now been applied. It is apparent that there have been several incidents causing damage to the parapet walls by vehicle impact. The aesthetics of the bridge are somewhat spoilt by the damage and displacement of parts of the parapet walls.
Hepburn Shire Council has drafted a report outlining recommendations for the future of a bridge with heritage status.
Options being considered in the draft report include demolishing the bridge and replacing it, repairing or restoring it, or building another bridge at a nearby location to accommodate B-double trucks.