Cloncurry River Anabranch - 1993 - Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia
S 20° 42.287 E 140° 29.854
54K E 447680 N 7710443
The bridge carrying the Barkly Highway across the Cloncurry River Anabranch at the western approach to Cloncurry was constructed by the Queensland Department of Transport in 1993.
Waymark Code: WMG18H
Location: Queensland, Australia
Date Posted: 12/31/2012
Views: 9
The bronze plaque on the southeastern abutment pillar of the bridge reads:
QDOT
1993
The bridge was constructed after a severe flood in 1991 which saw waters rise many metres abve the old bridge. The people of Cloncurry were told the 1993 bridge surface was higher than any possible flooding. There was a great deal of disbelief during a further flood in 1997, when the bridge went under.
In a report prepared for the Queensland Department of Emergency Services by the Centre for Disaster Studies at James Cook University of North Queensland in April 1997, several affected residents claimed floods were severe because of new road structure - the long high approach to this bridge. Other residents blamed a variety of other causes, including the failure of the local dam. Cloncurry is in a normally very dry part of the interior, the nearest ocean being the bottom of the Gulf of Carpentaria some 330 kilometres to the north, and the Pacific Ocean some 670 kilometres to the east-north-east at Townsville. No changes were made to the bridge and it's approaches after the 1997 flood, but other flood mitigation actions have been taken as a result of the flood.
Safe parking is available a short walk away, turn north into Isley Street (left turn if you just crossed the bridge, right turn if you are approaching the bridge from the east), then left turn into Daintree Street and park on the verge. (If the water level is VERY HIGH don't turn towards the water). From there you can walk under the bridge most of the time, but if there is water at the bridge abutment the Barkly Highway is not particularly busy and should be easy to cross with care.
Cloncurry is known as the Friendly Heart of the Great North West of Queensland, located 770 kilometres west of the city of Townsville via the Flinders Highway. The town lies adjacent to the Cloncurry River. It is the administrative centre of the Cloncurry Shire.
Cattle grazing is the significant industry in the region, and a large sale yards is located in the town.
The first ever flight of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia took place from Cloncurry on 15 May 1928, using a de Havilland DH.50 aircraft hired from the then small airline, Qantas. A Royal Flying Doctor Service museum is situated in the town.
Three For The Price Of One!
To make the most of your walk to this waymark, you can also take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Australia/NZ Benchmarks waymark WMG1MT 94794 - Barkly Highway, Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia and the Worldwide Cemeteries waymark WMG19Q Cloncurry Chinese Cemetery - Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia.