Earlier this year, I undertook public consultation regarding the naming of the new weir bridge at Mt. Crosby.
Of the 100 plus responses, more than one-third supported Belle Vue Mountain Bridge, in recognition of the original white settlement name for the Mt. Crosby area. The next most popular name was Explorer’s Bridge, honouring the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the Mt. Crosby area by explorers, John Oxley and Allan Cunningham.
A total of 21 respondents suggested an indigenous name. Of those, only seven proposed an actual name – six for Jagera Bridge and the other for Faye Carr Crossing in honour of a local indigenous woman.
Throughout this process, I consulted with the Mt. Crosby Historical Society whose advice was most valuable in arriving at our bridge name recommendation.
Despite it receiving the most number of votes, we ruled out Belle Vue Mountain Bridge for the following reason. Not far away is Bell’s Crossing and in the event of a future flood, we could have a scenario where Bell’s Crossing is under but Belle Vue Bridge is still open. That could lead to confusion with local motorists about what is open and what isn’t.
The next most popular choice was Explorer’s Bridge but the Historical Society asked if a recognition to the original inhabitants could be incorporated into the naming.
So, I have proposed to Council that the name of the bridge be supported with secondary sign which explains the reason for this name.
EXPLORERS BRIDGE
This bridge was opened in 2024 – 200 years after explorers John Oxley and Allan Cunningham reached this point in their exploration of the Brisbane River (Maiwar). On 23 September 1824, after climbing Mt. Crosby, Oxley noted in his diary: “The country did not seem ill-peopled, fires being seen in every quarter from the eastern ranges of Mt. Warning to the distant west”.