Published on Wednesday, 26 November 2025 at 11:11:43 AM
Key Points:
- The Shire of Toodyay is proactively addressing issues with a number of bridges, including Slaughterhouse and Dumbarton Bridges.
- The safety of our residents and road users is the Shire’s highest priority.
- Council direction concerning Slaughterhouse and Dumbarton Bridges will be sought at 27 November Council Meeting.
Further to public queries and social media comments, the Shire of Toodyay would like to provide an update on the status of several bridges within the Shire, including Slaughterhouse and Dumbarton Bridges.
The Shire of Toodyay currently manages 15 traffic bridges across the district, many of which are aging structures—such as Dumbarton Bridge, which is estimated to be around 120 years old. Earlier this year, all bridges underwent Level 1 inspections by specialist bridge experts as part of Main Roads WA (MRWA) requirements. Following these inspections, MRWA advised that three bridges – Cobbler Pool, Dumbarton and Slaughterhouse – required remedial work.
Remedial work on Cobbler Pool and Dumbarton Bridges was completed between June and November 2025, while repairs to Slaughterhouse Bridge remain on hold due to delays in obtaining cultural heritage approvals. Slaughterhouse Bridge has since been closed on advice from MRWA due to structural and safety concerns.
A report will be presented at the 27 November Council meeting seeking Council’s direction on Slaughterhouse Bridge. If bridge replacement is determined, the preferred option—single lane, two lanes, or two lanes with a footpath—will be selected based on MRWA’s indicative cost estimates, which range from $3.0 million to $6.2 million depending on the chosen design. Full details of these options and indicative costs based on 15% design to date may be found in the November Council Meeting Agenda here. The Shire would then request urgent funding support from the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
In addition, MRWA has since advised the Shire that sub-structure repairs are now required for Dumbarton Bridge at an estimated cost of $1,371,000. MRWA has committed to seeking maintenance funding from its 2026/27 Main Roads Bridge Program for Works for these repairs, and will undertake design and construction if funding is approved. If funding is unsuccessful, then repairs cannot proceed, which will result in load limits being imposed and potential future closure of the bridge.
Adding to the challenges, funding arrangements for bridge replacements have changed, requiring local governments to source funding through State or Federal grants and contribute a minimum of 20% of total costs for like-for-like bridge replacement. The Shire would also be responsible for the costs of realigning roads leading to and from bridges, including reconstruction, formation, and clearing permits.
There is currently $250,000 allocated in the Shire’s 2025/26 Annual Budget for bridge maintenance.
Shire President Mick McKeown said:
"Resident and road user safety remains the Shire’s highest priority, and we are working closely with Main Roads WA and other stakeholders to address these issues.
"Like many other local governments with large bridge networks, the Shire of Toodyay is facing significant costs to keep these structures safe and in good condition, which may mean having to make some tough decisions.
"While many of the issues facing our bridges represent long-standing, inherited challenges, the current Council and Administration—with support from our community—are committed to finding solutions and making the best possible decisions to protect public safety and ensure the long-term strength and integrity of Toodyay’s bridges."
Concerning Newcastle Park Footbridge, it is currently closed for safety reasons due to vandalism and deterioration of aging boards. The Shire is sourcing weather-resistant, long-lasting boards to replace all affected sections. These materials are not available in WA and must be ordered from interstate. At this stage, the commencement date for the project is yet to be confirmed.
The Shire will continue to provide updates on the status of these bridges as they come to hand.
ENDS
Media Enquiries:
Aaron Bowman – CEO
T: 9574 9300
E: records@toodyay.wa.gov.au
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