Scaffolding around Wyndham's Pretty Point Bridge has been swept away in a torrent of rising water at Mataganah Creek.
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Dramatic video shared on social media shows the scaffolding under the bridge being destroyed by the flood waters and being washed away downstream.
Pretty Point Bridge crosses the Mataganah Creek on New Buildings Road, west of Wyndham and Mount Darragh Road.
Caution: Language warning for the video below
Pretty Point Bridge was an Allan Truss bridge built in 1896. In recent years the bridge has been upgraded to a steel unibridge system by council.
The historical trusses were to be replaced in a non load bearing capacity to keep the historical ambiance of the bridge but according to the Pretty Point Bridge action group, despite being listed on councils heritage list council has decided not to replace the trusses as proposed and budgeted for in 2013.
The bridge still needed a lot of work and it is understood the scaffolding was there to assist in accessing the areas of the bridge during the upgrade work.
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Bega Valley Shire Council said they would continue to monitor the situation and keep the community advised of any updates.
"The low-level temporary crossing at Pretty Point Bridge has been inundated by floodwaters and cannot be used, so access to New Buildings Road via Pretty Point Bridge is currently impossible," the BVSC said.
"It would appear the surging water has also washed away the temporary scaffolding and work platforms erected by the contractor for the construction phase of the new bridge, which will unfortunately delay the delivery of the permanent bridge for a period of time.
"Council will work with the contractor to assess the damage and develop a plan regarding next steps, once conditions ease. Luckily, the temporary wooden deck, although displaced, has been secured and when the water abates far enough it will be reinstalled."
If you need emergency assistance, call the SES on 132 500. If anyone's life is in immediate danger, call 000.
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