Bridging an environmental gap
Named Schaefer Crossing honouring four generations of the Schaefer family who have lived and worked in the area since the early 1900s, the bridge connects residents from the eastern and western sectors of Newenham providing safe access to Kings Baptist Grammar School, linear park, and playground.
It is the first project using innovative world-first post-consumer soft plastic composite panels developed and manufactured by Wingfield composite manufacturer, Sustainable Infrastructure Systems SIS.
The prefabricated panels, developed over four years in collaboration with The University of Adelaide, have a structural strength on par with concrete, provide up to 48 per cent reduction in embodied carbon compared to a concrete panel, and can last well beyond 100 years.
Mayor, David Leach said that Schaefer Crossing is a cutting-edge demonstration of the objectives of the circular economy to prioritise buying and using products made from recycled materials.
The $73,000 bridge has been funded by the council from developer contributions through the sport and recreation separate rate. Council members and staff also provided a significant portion of the post-consumer soft plastic used in its construction, helping to divert nearly half a tonne of rubbish from landfill.
Council repurposed the existing concrete weir as the footing for the new bridge, avoiding the need to demolish and rebuild the weir structure, saving costs, storing internal carbon and ensuring the creek environment was undisturbed.
“This collaboration between Council, SIS and Burke Urban exemplifies our shared commitment to environmental stewardship, delivering environmentally sustainable, high-quality assets which perform for the local community,” Mayor Leach said.
