As part of the state's 150th birthday celebrations, Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace today revealed the names for two bridges in Queensland's central west region.
(Media-Newswire.com) - As part of the state's 150th birthday celebrations, Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace today revealed the names for two bridges in Queensland’s central west region.
Mr Wallace, who was in Longreach for the Bligh Government’s 19th Community Cabinet, said he was honoured to have an opportunity to recognise the people and history that contributed to the shaping of the region from as early as 1845.
“These names reflect the local history of this area and celebrate the early beginnings of this great state,” Mr Wallace said.
“The Cooper Creek Bridge, which is located 11.6 km north east of Windorah, will be retaining its original name as it was clear from the nominations received the community wanted to recognise the area’s early history.
“The explorer Charles Sturt originally named the Cooper Creek when he was on an expedition to the area in 1845. Sturt named the creek after Charles Cooper, who was the first Chief Justice of South Australia.”
Mr Wallace said the second bridge to be named, the Barcoo River Bridge, located 500 metres south of the Blackall CBD, would now be known as the Kargoolnah Bridge.
“The name Kargoolnah has significant meaning for local communities,” he said.
“Kargoolnah was the earliest local government authority in the Blackall area, and the Kargoolnah Division was the local authority on the upper Barcoo from 1880 until 1903.
“Importantly, the name also honours Indigenous ancestors as well as the pioneering families who made up the population in the area.”
Mr Wallace also announced the third bridge to be named as part of Q150 celebrations would be the Diamantina River Crossing, now to be known as the Karit-Juru Bridge.
“The Diamantina River Crossing, located 2.6 kilometres east of Birdsville, was constructed in 1985 to prevent the town of Birdsville being cut off from rising floodwaters,” he said.
“The Diamantina River was named after the wife of Queensland's first governor. The new bridge name, Karit-Juru, reflects the Indigenous history of the area.
“The Wangkangurru and Yarluyandi people are the local Indigenous groups where the bridge is located, and Karit-Juru is a Yarluyandi word meaning ‘long Creek’.”
Mr Wallace said this year marked the 150th anniversary of Queensland's separation from New South Wales as a colony, and celebrations running throughout the year would express the vision 'reflect our past and imagine our future'.
“The state's 150th birthday is an important milestone for all Queenslanders and we want to involve the community in the celebrations,” he said.
“The Q150 bridge naming festivities highlight the integral role that roads and bridges play in building the state's prosperity and connecting Queenslanders.”
Mr Wallace said the new names for the bridges were chosen from nominations received from all sections of the community.
Media contact: Minister Wallace’s office 3896 3689
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