Calna Creek Bridge Broken

[Bluegum Mic]

Either that or leppys canoe would do the trick

[north-north-west]

Take a packraft.

[Crosslands]

Regarding the broken Calna Creek Bridge.
I am the manager of Crosslands Convention Centre which is situated directly opposite Crosslands Reserve on the Great North Walk.
As you will be aware the Calna Creek bridge has been broken now for some time, causing some inconvenience to walkers on the track. On quite a number of occasions now we have Ferried walkers from the Reserve down the Berowra river to the other side of the creek or simply from one side to the other at a prearranged time. (this is tide dependant).
This service is available if you dont like wet feet. Just call us to book our Water Taxi by calling 02 9653 1041 We can ferry up to 40 people at a time for Only $25

[wildwalks]

The Guys are Crosslands Convention Centre are great. My kids first overnight walk was a section of the GNW and instead of camping we stayed at the center -- it was great value they ferry you across and back over the river, and even have canoes so you can explore the river whilst you stay. Great hospitality - and nice light way to do an overnighter
Thanks Crosslands for providing the ferry whilst the bridge is out.
Matt

[colinm]

I am the manager of Crosslands Convention Centre which is situated directly opposite Crosslands Reserve on the Great North Walk. [...] We can ferry up to 40 people at a time for Only $25

Cool service. Can you get your residents to quieten down after midnight too, 'cos they have been known to make a hell of a racket.

Colin.

[Crosslands]

Colin I appreciate your concern, in all my inductions with new groups I do express the council noise curfew as being no amplified noise after 10pm and Silence after mid night which since becoming the new manager as of January this year I recall only 1 occasion so far having to ask the group to keep the noise down after mid night, which they did.
Unfortunately it actually works more the other way. Living on site with our house right on the edge of the river which makes it only about 50m from the Reserve the noise level is pretty constant but I can’t really complain because that’s the job and people are either here or on the Reserve to enjoy themselves.

[colinm]

Colin I appreciate your concern, in all my inductions with new groups I do express the council noise curfew as being no amplified noise after 10pm and Silence after mid night which since becoming the new manager as of January this year I recall only 1 occasion so far having to ask the group to keep the noise down after mid night, which they did.

Don't know whether you got my email, sent from the reserve at 1:30am or thereabouts, couple of months back.

Unfortunately it actually works more the other way. Living on site with our house right on the edge of the river which makes it only about 50m from the Reserve the noise level is pretty constant but I can’t really complain because that’s the job and people are either here or on the Reserve to enjoy themselves.

Yeah, well, sometimes that too goes beyond what it reasonable.

[forest]

Does anyone have an idea when this might be rectified ?? It's been busted for a while now.
Looking at the maps a go-around upstream is possible, with slightly wet feet. I'd nearly guess a well worn footpad around the top end of the creek is now there as it's a bit of a higher traffic walking area. Or is it ??

[davef]

Why is there a bridge, can't you wade or swim accross? Bridges are ugly.

[Bluegum Mic]

On the southern approach its a drop down to the water so you wouldnt be able to get out. Its about 15m wide and really quite deep on high tide. Its not able to be waded across so a non swimmer wouldnt be able to cross.

[kjbeath]

From the national parks on 5 May "It is currently not known how long will be required to rectify this situation.". Maybe they have the tender out by now.

[Crosslands]

Hi, see my previous post. Crosslands wrote:I am the manager of Crosslands Convention Centre which is situated directly opposite Crosslands Reserve on the Great North Walk. [...] We can ferry up to 40 people at a time for Only $25
I have made inquiries with the department of lands as they are the managers of the Great North Walk and all its assets. The contact there is Peter Corrigan.
I have been advised they have no budget for any repairs to the bridge and at this point it is broken indefinitely.

[Rob Gosford]

I have been advised they have no budget for any repairs to the bridge and at this point it is broken indefinitely.

that is PATHetic !

Breaking News >>>>> the Sydney Harbour Bridge collapsed into the harbour today. They have allocated a big budget for repairs to the bridge and at this point it will be out of service for 2 months

[EmcDownunder]

Hi All,
After starting the GNW a few months ago with friends we were up to this section of the track and I reviewed the infomation from this forum to get across Calna Creek without any problems. So if you plan on getting across this is what we did.

1. we checked the tide for the area, an hour each side of low is a must, we crossed 1 hour before low
2. from the southern side, before you head down the steps to the broken bridge, a faint track has formed heading up the creek along the side of the hill at its base, follow this till you reach an open marsh where you will see a trail along the edge of the marsh heading back to the creek, walk along the creek tree line till you see a small pile of rocks and cross here its ankle deep. all up its within 200m from the bridge and the water was freezing..
3. from the northern side, follow the trail up the creek, pass a open camping area and 50m passed this is a few large rocks on the left, cross here and then do the reverse of the above.
4. if its high tide, wait for low tide or ring the manager of Crosslands Convention Centre before hand to book a crossing as he noted previous.

Cheers,
Martin

[DarrenM]

Any word on the bridge, or are we still (swimming) detouring at low tide?

[Solohike74]

Hi the bridge is out completely looks like for a long while too. On the Great North Walk near Crosslands Reserve. Hope they fix it eventually.

[Wollemi]

Thanks for letting us know the current situation. The broken bridge has been talked about for 11 months now on this forum... viewtopic.php?f=36&t=12977&hilit=crosslands

[DarrenM]

What kind of hurdles are we looking at if some fund raising took place to have the bridge replaced? My understanding is that raising the funds may be easier than cutting through the red tape to make it happen. Who is it that I can contact to ask the questions? NPWS or is it a council matter?

[Solohike74]

Yes its still broken. Photo shows the old 2 person limit sign.

[GPSGuided]

Time to implement a rope crossing setup?

[Gadgetgeek]

I love that pic with the load limit sign. I know there would no point in removing it, but it is pretty funny.

[wildwalks]

...... My understanding is that raising the funds may be easier than cutting through the red tape to make it happen. Who is it that I can contact to ask the questions? NPWS or is it a council matter?

Hey DarrenM
Although in a national Park the replacement of this bridge is likely to be funded and org aside via crown lands because it is part of the GNW. They are looking into it but no specific plans yet. We are still waiting on NPWS to mark and alternate route and wet crossing to create a track that with do the least damage to the area until replaced. There is a boat been run by Crosslands camp as a way across - but you need to phone ahead and book - it is fairly cheap.
This bridge was originally installed by the army - dropped in by chopper. I suspect the new bridge will be built to a new standard and be a more significant and expensive structure. It would be a significant fundraising effort. I suspect it would be more help to write to you local state member and express you concern over the time take so far.
Matt

[wildwalks]

Merged "bridge destroyed" thread with this one

[DarrenM]

Hi Matt, thanks for the info mate. Might be time time to get the ink pot and quill out. Cheers.

[wildwalks]

Okay this is starting to get stupid. 12 months and we are not really any closer to a new crossing.
I have met with the local state member and with the guys who maintain the track.
The alternative crossing suggested by NPWS (as it was explained to me) is downstream of the bridge and seem a bit crazy to me and not likely to actually be used.
But there is a wonderful potential crossing upstream. But approval can take another 12 months.

At the risk of looking like I am promoting my facebook site -- can people please like and share this post over the next few days. Would be great to show that there are actually people who want this bridge replaced and delaying it another year is not okay. Or if you would rather not do the facebook thing please email your local member of the Minister Parker and ask that they make this a priority (this would be even better than a facebook like)
https://www.facebook.com/243662566531/photos/a.10152095670361532.1073741825.243662566531/10152387325846532/?type=1&stream_ref=10

thanks

Matt

[wildwalks]

YAY!!! The bridge is getting fixed
Matt Kean MP (local state member for Hornsby) has pulled together the $250k for the new bridge. NPWS is going to build the bridge this year. NPWS & Crown Lands has worked hard to find a solution, really glad that the Government was able to step in and fund a solution.
The downstream wet crossing is formally open and signposted -- you can cross the creek there at low tide.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater

Looking forward to the opening.

Matt

[DarrenM]

Brilliant work to all involved, it's great news. Thanks Matt

[GPSGuided]

Brilliant!

[Tortoise]

Excellent news! Thanks for the effort and perseverance, and to the others who have made the solution possible.

[Rob Gosford]

you *&%$#! little bewdy thanks for the news Matt

right. NO jumping, NO running, ONE at a time please......


(EDIT: how come i can't say *&%$#! ? lol)