Feedback sought from users of Struan House Road bridge to help determine its future

Naracoorte Lucindale Council is seeking feedback from users of the Struan House Road bridge to understand impacts should the bridge be decommissioned.

Council has been reviewing the condition of the bridge that spans Mosquito Creek for a number of years and is now seeking feedback from local landowners and road users who use the bridge.

Struan House Road bridge was built in 1865 as a two-span under strutted timber girder bridge supported on internal timber piers and stone abutments. In 1939, the timber structure was replaced with steel cross braced steel girders, a concrete deck and internal concrete blade pier supported on piles. Despite these upgrades, the 1865 built stone abutments and wing walls remained through the 1939 constructions and to this day.

After initial condition inspections, a more detailed investigation was undertaken to determine if the bridge could manage heavy loads under its current condition and identify any works required.

Load assessments of the bridge indicate the existing girders and abutment are generally in good condition and capable of supporting a Common 9 Axle B-double.


However, significant works to the tune of $1.1M would be required to address a number of defects.

Council continues to monitor the movement of the bridge and its overall condition.

Should Council decide to replace or upgrade the bridge, detailed design works would be required at a cost of approximately $100-150,000 before full cost estimates could be undertaken. However, it is anticipated about $1.1M would be required to repair the bridge wing walls and address other defects.

Given these significant costs, Council has been exploring the option of decommissioning the bridge.

Properties along the road north of the bridge would still be able to use the Riddoch Highway’s northern access point.

However, any vehicles travelling to/from the Struan-Joanna Road direction would be required to use the southern access to the highway. Closure of the bridge would result in an additional 1.4km for vehicles wishing to access the Struan-Joanna Road coming to/from the Naracoorte direction.

Traffic count data has shown about 85 vehicles a day use Struan House Road north of the bridge, with 43 using the southern part of the road.

Council has consulted with the Department for Infrastructure & Transport as modifications to the southern highway access would also be required to cater for larger trucks and ensure safe access for all road users.

If you use the bridge regularly and would like to make a comment, you can provide feedback in the following ways:

  • Online by completing the short feedback form at the bottom of this page 👇
  • Emailing Council at council@nlc.sa.gov.au
  • In writing, addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, DeGaris Place (PO Box 555), Naracoorte, SA, 5271.

Landowners near the Struan House Road bridge are being contacted by post and encouraged to provide feedback, and public consultation from the wider community will open at 9am on Monday 9 February and close at 5pm on Wednesday 11 March 2026.

Feedback will be presented to Council in due course, prior to a final decision on the future of the bridge being made.

Above image: An historic photo of the Struan House Road bridge circa 1879 (as featured in the 2015 Struan House Conservation Management Plan 2015) showing the under strutted timber girder bridge with stone abutments and central timber piers.

Cover image: The Struan House Road bridge as it is today.



Naracoorte Lucindale Council is seeking feedback from users of the Struan House Road bridge to understand impacts should the bridge be decommissioned.

Council has been reviewing the condition of the bridge that spans Mosquito Creek for a number of years and is now seeking feedback from local landowners and road users who use the bridge.

Struan House Road bridge was built in 1865 as a two-span under strutted timber girder bridge supported on internal timber piers and stone abutments. In 1939, the timber structure was replaced with steel cross braced steel girders, a concrete deck and internal concrete blade pier supported on piles. Despite these upgrades, the 1865 built stone abutments and wing walls remained through the 1939 constructions and to this day.

After initial condition inspections, a more detailed investigation was undertaken to determine if the bridge could manage heavy loads under its current condition and identify any works required.

Load assessments of the bridge indicate the existing girders and abutment are generally in good condition and capable of supporting a Common 9 Axle B-double.


However, significant works to the tune of $1.1M would be required to address a number of defects.

Council continues to monitor the movement of the bridge and its overall condition.

Should Council decide to replace or upgrade the bridge, detailed design works would be required at a cost of approximately $100-150,000 before full cost estimates could be undertaken. However, it is anticipated about $1.1M would be required to repair the bridge wing walls and address other defects.

Given these significant costs, Council has been exploring the option of decommissioning the bridge.

Properties along the road north of the bridge would still be able to use the Riddoch Highway’s northern access point.

However, any vehicles travelling to/from the Struan-Joanna Road direction would be required to use the southern access to the highway. Closure of the bridge would result in an additional 1.4km for vehicles wishing to access the Struan-Joanna Road coming to/from the Naracoorte direction.

Traffic count data has shown about 85 vehicles a day use Struan House Road north of the bridge, with 43 using the southern part of the road.

Council has consulted with the Department for Infrastructure & Transport as modifications to the southern highway access would also be required to cater for larger trucks and ensure safe access for all road users.

If you use the bridge regularly and would like to make a comment, you can provide feedback in the following ways:

  • Online by completing the short feedback form at the bottom of this page 👇
  • Emailing Council at council@nlc.sa.gov.au
  • In writing, addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, DeGaris Place (PO Box 555), Naracoorte, SA, 5271.

Landowners near the Struan House Road bridge are being contacted by post and encouraged to provide feedback, and public consultation from the wider community will open at 9am on Monday 9 February and close at 5pm on Wednesday 11 March 2026.

Feedback will be presented to Council in due course, prior to a final decision on the future of the bridge being made.

Above image: An historic photo of the Struan House Road bridge circa 1879 (as featured in the 2015 Struan House Conservation Management Plan 2015) showing the under strutted timber girder bridge with stone abutments and central timber piers.

Cover image: The Struan House Road bridge as it is today.



Page last updated: 09 Feb 2026, 12:17 PM