The bridge project first came to notice in 1964, as part of Premier/Treasurer Eric (Electric Eric) Reece’s political push for his IDEALOGY OF DEVELOPMENT – accepted belief that “development brought employment and progress as well as financial benefit to owners, shareholders, and government”, made evident at the 1964 State Election.
In May 1964, The Examiner published items on :
- Mersey-Forth Power Scheme
- The Batman Bridge
- Wool Sales
- The new Tamar Street Bridge in Launceston
- 2-storey addition to Riverside High School
- And, construction of two 75,000 pound diesel electric train engines at the Inveresk Railways Workshops.
In September 1964, The Examiner published more
- Main Plant and Workshops at Hydro’s Gowrie Park Village
- King Island Sewerage Construction
- Launceston Grain Silos (now recycled to be Errol’s Silos Hotel)
- 300,000 pounds expansion at Launceston’s Patons & Baldwins Woollen Mills
- Launceston Outlet and Ring Roads (still talking about that one !!)
- Savage River Iron Ore Workshops
- Bell Bay Terminal for EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA FERRY (been and gone and eventually relocated back to Devonport, where the PRINCESS OF TASMANIA FERRY had earlier berthed).
- And, Housing …..
Batman Bridge was designed by Maunsell & Partners of London and Melbourne, and built between 1966 & 1968.
The Bridge was opened on Saturday 18 May 1968 (2 days after my 14th birthday !) by Premier/Treasurer Eric Reece with a plaque unveiled by Hon. Doug Cashion, Minister for Lands and Works.
The Bridge was named after John Batman – Australian grazier and explorer of early 1800’s noted for his achievements including founding of Melbourne and the capture of notorious bush ranger, Matthew Brady.
There was no mention of his aboriginal relationships or past.
Regards,
Lionel
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