Page 34 - Tropic Magazine Issue 34

TROPIC • COVER STORY

The bridge allows visitors greater access The landscape and remote location –
to the stunning region, while providing a seven-hour drive south-west of
them a new perspective of the gorge Cairns – added to the logistics and
through uninterrupted views. technical complexity.
John told Tropic the aim was to create Many environmental factors had to be
a bridge with aesthetic features that considered, including the fact that the
both blended with and enhanced the gorge walls differ in height on each side.
surrounding landscape. “The client was John said the accuracy of his design stood
seeking an outcome that would add the up to the test.
wow factor to what was already an award- “Because of the natural formation,
winning tourist destination,” he said. there was significant planning involving
“We were the first to attempt such a feat not just us, but the project engineer,
in Australia and I’m really pleased the fabricator and builder,” he said. “But we
finished product is now a drawcard in its had to make a lot of assumptions, because
own right.” so much was unknown – this was a first
– and so we were still problem-solving
during installation.”
Two helicopters were used to lift all the
major components into place,
including 1.6-tonne steel support beams 1
that were lowered into concrete footings
attached deep into the sandstone.

That was challenging
because of the different

levels of rotor wash
deflecting back up off the
gorge floor

John Hyde
Director

GORGE
“The entire team really drew on
its experience and expertise and we
managed it.”
A custom fabricated A-frame gentry
system with a central girder was also
designed to allow a block and tackle to
travel from one side to the other, enabling
the safe installation of the cross-member
beams, the glass floor panels and the
rest of the components. An under-slung
man basket was also fitted to hang under
the bridge and allow for regular, safe
and efficient cleaning, maintenance and
inspections – certainly not a job for the
faint of heart. In a massive endorsement
of supreme designing, planning,
pre-fabricating and adaptation, the
installation took just two weeks from
start to finish.
EAST
If the satisfaction of a difficult job well
done wasn’t enough, John was recently
the recipient of a national award, with
the Cobbold Gorge project named Design
of the Year and Bespoke Window/Glass

34 • Tropic • Issue 34