Immigration Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Immigration Bridge was a proposed footbridge
in Canberra
, the capital of Australia. It was proposed that it be built between the National Museum of Australia
and Lennox Gardens
on the south shore of the West Basin of Lake Burley Griffin
, in the centre of the city.
The non-profit organisation Immigration Bridge Australia (IBA) was promoting the bridge as a means of recognising the contributions immigrants have made to Australia and was seeking AUD22 million in donations from the public and between AUD10 million and AUD15 million from the Commonwealth Government for its construction. Initial concept plans for the bridge showed it as having a walkway twelve metres above the lake's surface supported by twelve pylons. IBA have claimed the original design was a "concept only" and a small number, or possibly zero, pylon bridge is a possibility. The proposal had proven controversial, and a Commonwealth Parliamentary inquiry into the bridge held during early 2009 received 20 submissions, most of which opposed the concept. The inquiry's final report recommended that the bridge be redesigned to take the needs of other lake users such as cyclists and sailors into account and that its site be moved if it is not possible to reach a compromise.
Many argue that the inclusion of a bridge within West Basin is inconsistent with Walter Burley Griffin's vision for the lake, however the inclusion of a bridge to Acton Peninsula is clearly visible in the winning design, although in a slightly different location to the concept design.
The Immigration Bridge was abandoned on 30 March 2010 due to heritage and safety concerns. The project has already raised hundreds-of-thousands of dollars from the public. The proponents of the bridge are working on plans for a national immigration monument that will be located near the National Archives of Australia
in the parliamentary triangle in Canberra, using the money already raised.
Footbridge
A footbridge or pedestrian bridge is a bridge designed for pedestrians and in some cases cyclists, animal traffic and horse riders, rather than vehicular traffic. Footbridges complement the landscape and can be used decoratively to visually link two distinct areas or to signal a transaction...
in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, the capital of Australia. It was proposed that it be built between the National Museum of Australia
National Museum of Australia
The National Museum of Australia was formally established by the National Museum of Australia Act 1980. The National Museum preserves and interprets Australia's social history, exploring the key issues, people and events that have shaped the nation....
and Lennox Gardens
Lennox Gardens, Canberra
Lennox Gardens, a park in Canberra, Australia, lying on the south side of Lake Burley Griffin, close to Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and Albert Hall in the suburb of Yarralumla. Before the construction of Lake Burley Griffin a road ran through the present garden, this road being one of two main...
on the south shore of the West Basin of Lake Burley Griffin
Lake Burley Griffin
Lake Burley Griffin is an artificial lake in the centre of Canberra, the capital of Australia. It was completed in 1963 after the Molonglo River—which ran between the city centre and Parliamentary Triangle—was dammed...
, in the centre of the city.
The non-profit organisation Immigration Bridge Australia (IBA) was promoting the bridge as a means of recognising the contributions immigrants have made to Australia and was seeking AUD22 million in donations from the public and between AUD10 million and AUD15 million from the Commonwealth Government for its construction. Initial concept plans for the bridge showed it as having a walkway twelve metres above the lake's surface supported by twelve pylons. IBA have claimed the original design was a "concept only" and a small number, or possibly zero, pylon bridge is a possibility. The proposal had proven controversial, and a Commonwealth Parliamentary inquiry into the bridge held during early 2009 received 20 submissions, most of which opposed the concept. The inquiry's final report recommended that the bridge be redesigned to take the needs of other lake users such as cyclists and sailors into account and that its site be moved if it is not possible to reach a compromise.
Many argue that the inclusion of a bridge within West Basin is inconsistent with Walter Burley Griffin's vision for the lake, however the inclusion of a bridge to Acton Peninsula is clearly visible in the winning design, although in a slightly different location to the concept design.
The Immigration Bridge was abandoned on 30 March 2010 due to heritage and safety concerns. The project has already raised hundreds-of-thousands of dollars from the public. The proponents of the bridge are working on plans for a national immigration monument that will be located near the National Archives of Australia
National Archives of Australia
The National Archives of Australia is a body established by the Government of Australia for the purpose of preserving Commonwealth Government records. It is an Executive Agency of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and reports to the Cabinet Secretary, Senator Joe Ludwig.The national...
in the parliamentary triangle in Canberra, using the money already raised.