Bridgewater Bridge Fun Facts

The settlement of Bridgewater was originally known as Green Point. The name it is now known by was due to the bridge (which was actually a causeway) crossing a shallow section of the waters of the River Derwent.

Construction began on the causeway in 1829. It was 1.3 km long and built by a gang of 200 convicts using nothing but wheelbarrows, shovels and picks. By the time it was completed, the convicts had shifted 2 million tonnes of sand, soil, stones and clay. That’s some hard yakka.

The causeway was completed in 1836. It didn’t cross the whole river so a ferry worked the deepest section of the Riv- er Derwent from 1829 –1849, until a bridge opened.

The current lift bridge was started in 1939, interrupted by the war, and completed in 1946.

The new Bridgewater Bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2024.

Paint by numbers street mural

A vibrant mural celebrating Brighton came together in a paint by numbers approach at the Centacare Evolve Housing 2022 Christmas Block Party. Vibrance Projects and Hobart illustrator Becski Design were commissioned by Brighton Council for the colourful street art project.

The artwork was inspired by Mount Dromedary and the rolling hills, valleys and waterways, native and farm animals, as well as lifestyle and family. Community members rolled up their sleeves to add to the mural, which is now on display for all to enjoy at the Brighton Civic Centre.