Planning for the replacement bridge of the Murray River Bridge has reached an important milestone. The preferred option is an intermediate level bridge upstream of the existing bridge known as Option 9a.
The planning and environmental approvals being sought for the replacement bridge by VicRoads are contained in the Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) – Victoria (supported by Planning Assessment Report (PAR)).
An Environmental Investigation (EI) has been prepared to examine the environmental constraints and impacts of the preferred option in NSW.
These documents were displayed for public inspection and submission between 16 June and 27 July 2011.
In response to submissions received, a planning Panel was convened by the Minister for Planning to hear submissions on the PSA.
The Planning Panel Hearing was held from 4 to 6 October 2011 at the Swan Hill Town Hall. Below are links to VicRoads expert witness statements, which were presented at the Hearing.
The Swan Hill Bridge Panel Report was received by VicRoads acting as the Planning Authority on Friday 25 November 2011.
In accordance with the Planning and Environment Act 1987 the Panel Report has been placed on VicRoads' website and the DPCD website within 28 days of the Planning Authority receiving the Panel Report.
VicRoads will consider the Panel Report and make a recommendation to the Minister for Planning for a final decision on Amendment C41.
Swan Hill Bridge Panel Report [PDF, 607kb, 77pp]
Note: If you experience any problems acessing any of the following documents please email nr.mailbox@roads.vic.gov.au for assistance.
Expert Witness Statement - Architectural Design [PDF, 148KB, 25pp]
Expert Witness Statement - Hydrology [PDF, 979KB, 16pp]
Expert Witness Statement - Landscape Design [PDF, 2119KB, 31pp]
Expert Witness Statement - Social [PDF, 82KB, 15pp]
Expert Witness Statement - Traffic [PDF, 963KB, 23pp]
View the map: Option 9a [PDF, 1004KB] – printable
Swan Hill is the main commercial and administrative centre for the region and a popular tourist destination attracting approximately 150,000 visitors each year. It is a major freight distribution centre for produce from the surrounding region on both sides of the Murray River.
The planning studies have considered the deficiencies of the existing Murray River crossing and the future strategic growth needs of the Swan Hill and Murray Downs area.
A replacement bridge would improve road connections for current and future residents and visitors travelling between Victoria and New South Wales. This study seeks to reserve the land required for the future construction of the replacement crossing.
VicRoads has worked closely with the Roads and Maritime Services (formerly RTA), Swan Hill Rural City Council and Wakool Shire Councils.
The intention of the planning study is to determine a suitable location for the replacement bridge.
Specialist studies undertaken for the planning study include:
- Traffic and economic analysis
- Flora and fauna
- Cultural heritage
- Hydrology (Flooding)
- Noise
- Social impacts
- Land use
- Regional Economy
- Landscape and visual assessment
- Geotechnical
These planning studies are complete and the findings were used to determine a preferred option.
Consultation with key stakeholders and the local community has played a major role throughout the planning investigations.
Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) and Environmental Investigation (EI)
Exhibition of the Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) and Environmental Investigation (EI)
The PSA and EI were placed on public exhibition from Thursday 16 June 2011 to Wednesday 27 July 2011.
Note: If you experience any problems acessing any of the following documents please email nr.mailbox@roads.vic.gov.au for assistance.
Amendment C41 Swan Hill Planning Scheme [PDF, 4,084KB, 32pp]
Contents Swan Hill Planning Assessment Report [PDF, 58KB, 7pp}
Swan Hill PAR Executive Summary Chapters 1 and 2 [PDF,1,251KB, 36pp]
Swan Hill PAR Chapter 3 [PDF, 2844KB, 38pp]
Swan Hill PAR Chapter 4 [PDF, 1,431KB, 36pp]
Swan Hill PAR Chapters 5 to 7 [PDF, 1,423KB, 40pp]
Swan Hill PAR Chapter 8 - Appendix A and B [PDF, 3,258KB, 74pp]
Swan Hill Traffic Modelling Report [PDF, 2,253KB 72pp]
Swan Hill Traffic Modelling Addendum Report [PDF, 322KB, 10pp]
Swan Hill Regional Economy Report [PDF, 432KB, 45pp]
Swan Hill Regional Economy Addendum Report [PDF, 540KB, 8pp]
Swan Hill Land Use Report [PDF, 3752KB, 62pp]
Swan Hill Social Impact Assessment Report [PDF, 1,736KB, 69pp]
Swan Hill Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment Pgs 1 to 70 [PDF, 2,223KB, 72pp]
Swan Hill Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment Pgs 71 to 85 [PDF, 3,592KB, 15 pp]
Swan Hill Landcape & Visual Impact Assessment Pgs 86 to 122 [PDF, 1,495KB 37pp]
Swan Hill Landscape Planning Concept Pgs 1 to 8 [PDF, 2,065KB, 8pp]
Swan Hill Landscape Planning Concept Pgs 9 and 10 [PDF, 2,944KB]
Swan Hill Landscape Planning Concept Pgs 11 and 12 [PDF,2,413KB]
Swan Hill Landscape Planning Concept pgs 13 to 15 [PDF, 1,735KB 3pp]
Swan Hill Flora and Fauna Report Pgs 1 to 46 [PDF, 3,576KB, 52pp]
Swan Hill Flora and Fauna Report Pgs 47 to 101 [PDF, 1,661KB, 61pp]
Swan Hill Flora and Fauna Addendum Report [PDF, 915KB, 48pp]
Swan Hill Aquatic Fauna Report [PDF, 769KB, 40pp]
Swan Hill Aboriginal Heritage Assessment Exec Summary Chapters 1 and 2 [PDF, 3,520KB, 25pp]
Swan Hill Aboriginal Heritage Assessment Chapter 3 [PDF, 2,181KB, 11pp]
Swan Hill Aboriginal Heritage Assessment Chapter 4 part 1 [PDF, 3,014KB, 15pp]
Swan Hill Aboriginal Heritage Assessment Chapter 4 part 2 [PDF, 1,845KB 15pp]
Swan Hill Aboriginal Heritage Assessment Chapter 5 [PDF, 2,115KB, 19pp]
Swan Hill Aboriginal Heritage Assessment Chapter 6 and 7 [PDF,1,983KB 15pp]
Swan Hill Aboriginal Heritage Assessment Chapter 8 to 10 [PDF, 3,920KB 32pp]
Swan Hill Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Addendum Report [PDF, 1,185KB 18pp]
Swan Hill Historic Heritage Assessment Exec Summary Chapters 1 to 3 [PDF, 3,770KB, 54pp]
Swan Hill Historic Heritage Assessment Chapters 4 to 8 [PDF, 1,737KB, 59pp]
Swan Hill Noise Impact Assessment Report and Appendix A to C [PDF, 3,042KB 71pp]
Swan Hill Noise Impact Assessment Appendix D to F [PDF, 3,923KB, 62pp]
Swan Hill Hydrology Report and Figures Part 1 [PDF, 2,928KB, 44pp]
Swan Hill Hydrology Figures Part 2 and Appendices [PDF, 3,078KB, 74pp]
Swan Hill Hydrology Addendum Report [PDF, 3,514KB, 33pp]
Swan Hill Geotechnical Report and Appendix A to C part 1 [PDF, 2,564KB, 49pp]
Swan Hill Geotechnical Report Appendix C Part 2 [PDF, 2,365KB, 12pp]
Swan Hill Geotechnical Report Appendix C Part 3 [PDF, 2,086KB, 13pp]
Swan Hill Geotechnical Report Appendix D to G [PDF, 3,450KB, 35pp]
Swan Hill Environmental Investigation [PDF, 2,968KB, 130pp]
View the Information Update and map: Information Update [PDF, 867KB, 6pp] – printable
Phone: VicRoads (03) 5434 5000 during office hours Monday – Friday 8:30am to 5pm.
Write to: VicRoads - Northern Region
53-61 Lansell St, East Bendigo Victoria 3550,
Email: nr.mail@roads.vic.gov.au