After a quarter of a century, time is up for three timber footbridges in Umbagong District Park, Ginninderra.

The bridges, on the northern side of Ginnniderra Creek, were built in 1986, and the timber has deteriorated. A 2021 safety audit deemed them unsafe.

Work begins today to build three replacement bridges.

Chris Steel, ACT Minister for Transport and City Services, said the new bridges will be made from steel; a rusted finish will complement the natural setting and colours of the Umbagong native grasslands, so people feel like they are out in nature.

The new footbridges will be two metres wide, slightly wider than the timber bridges.

A lookout with seats will be built on the longer bridge closest to Latham, so it is accessible for people using mobility scooters and wheelchairs.

The two smaller bridges will open midyear, and the longer bridge and lookout will open in spring.

“I’m sure these improvements will make the park safe and enjoyable,” Mr Steel said.

The Park is of National Environmental Significance (protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Nature Conservation Act 2014). Umbagong District Park is part of the Ginninderra Creek green corridor, part of the Murray Darling Basin. The native creek habitat are inhabited by many reptiles, birds, frogs, and small native animals. However, the ecosystems are fragile, and at risk from cats, invasive weeds, and water degradation.

The park also has heritage values protected under the Heritage Act 2004. Indigenous people used the site to grind axes, while the Ginninderra Creek ‘chain of ponds’ was a reliable source of water.

“We are acutely aware of the environmental values within the Umbagong district park, and we’ll be taking every precaution with the contract to minimise impacts during the construction works,” Mr Steel said.

The minister thanked the local community, the Belconnen Community Council, the Umbagong Landcare Group, and the Ginninderra Catchment group for their assistance in the design process.

More information, including artists’ renders, is available at: https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/Infrastructure-Projects/belconnen/umbagong-bridges