The decision
Transport for NSW cited the need to “relieve pressure larger vehicles have put on the structure” of the 127-year-old bridge. Ben Rawson from Transport for NSW Bridge Planning explained: “We need to reduce the strain on the bridge to reduce the risk to road users, and that will allow us to future plan the works and come up with a long-term solution.”
Community impact
Livestock transporter Garry Nelson of Garry Nelson Cartage explained how the change came as a complete surprise. “Nobody knew about this here. Everybody knows about it now. That maybe it’s too late”. Alex Good of Clinton Park agreed he felt “blindsided”.
Graeme Cochrane, a dairy farmer with property on both sides of the bridge, agreed that the local community was not consulted. He calculated the detour would add a three-hour round trip to his work day at a cost of almost $1000 per week. “They need to realise we’re a dairy farming community and this will introduce costs that people can’t afford,” he said, expressing concern that trucking companies might eventually decide the logistical challenges are too great and stop delivering to the Valley altogether. “It’s crazy,” he added.
Consultation controversy
Allan Lockyer from the Kangaroo Valley Community Consultative Body (KVCCB) disputed Transport for NSW’s claim of prior consultation. “We had discussions about 10 or 11 months ago. They said they would collect data and make a plan after community consultation, which never happened.”
The KVCCB officially stated they were only notified on 6 May 2025, less than a month before implementation.
Political response
State Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, quickly took up the community’s cause, raising the matter in parliament on 7 May. His motion noted that “no consultation occurred prior to this change” and called on Transport for NSW “to pause the proposed change until the minister can consider feedback from primary producers, small business, council and residents”.
NSW Premier Chris Minns, according to the ABC, had a “strong response” to this issue at the recent Community Cabinet meeting in Ulladulla. “We know it’s a major issue … We are rapidly looking at options,” Minns is reported to have said.
Looking forward
Throughout this developing situation, the KVCCB has been working tirelessly to advocate for community interests, with Lockyer taking a lead role in coordinating the response and providing regular updates through community channels. Lee Sharam’s efforts to keep residents informed through her email bulletins have also been invaluable during this challenging time.
The Voice will continue to monitor this vital issue affecting our community’s historic landmark and critical means of business and community connection.
For the latest information and frequently asked questions regarding the Hampden Bridge load limit change, residents can visit: https://rom-southernprojects.cmail20.com/t/j-e-wildlty-iulkdhulki-r/
STOP PRESS: Deadline extended, $4m annual cost impact revealed
As the Voice goes to print, we’ve learned that Transport for NSW has extended the implementation deadline to the end of June, giving impacted businesses an additional month to map out new transport routes.
Nowra transport operator Mark Nelson of Coordinated Logistics has calculated the staggering economic impact of the load limit reduction. He estimates that more than 100 truck movements per week would be diverted at an extra cost of $750 per load, potentially adding up to $4 million in additional transport costs annually for the region.
“Transport costs will double in and around the valley to get these jobs done … from concrete quarry products, timber, steel, everything will be affected,” Nelson said.
The load limit issue isn’t new – Transport for NSW first proposed a reduction in 1968 to 20 tonnes, but deemed it ‘not feasible due to traffic demands’. A 2022 report revealed the bridge has been exceeding its design load of a 14-tonne steamroller, leading to ‘complex behaviours’.
While Transport for NSW is considering options to potentially reinstate the higher load limit, they are also evaluating the possibility of a new 77-metre-long bridge, which would require ‘significant investment’.
IMPORTANT: Compensation may be available
Transport for NSW has indicated that farmers and businesses impacted by the load limit reduction may be eligible for compensation through their Public Liability team.
If your operation will face increased costs due to this change, you are encouraged to contact Transport for NSW directly to discuss possible compensation arrangements.
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/lodge-a-public-liability-claim-with-transport-for-nsw
Hampden Bridge: Our valley’s historic treasure
Standing proud at the entrance to our valley since 1898, Hampden Bridge represents more than just a crossing over the Kangaroo River – it’s a living connection to our shared heritage.
Named after Lord Hampden, the Governor of New South Wales from 1895 to 1899, our iconic bridge was designed by Ernest Macartney de Burgh and built by Thomas Loveridge and Hudson. Construction began in 1895, creating what would become Australia’s only surviving timber-decked vehicular suspension bridge from the colonial period.
The bridge features four distinctive Victorian Gothic Revival crenellated turrets crafted from sandstone quarried locally. Its elegant design reflects the importance of this river crossing when it was built – the Cambewarra Road (now Moss Vale Road) was then a major route from Sydney to the south coast of NSW.
Historical records tell us the bridge opened on 19 May 1898, just six days before floods washed away the old bridge it was built to replace – a twist of fate that demonstrated its immediate value to our community.
In 2012, after years of advocacy by local resident Bruce Ramsay, the bridge underwent a major $3 million renovation by Roads & Maritime Services, preserving this iconic structure for future generations.
Declared one of the 50 most historic bridges in NSW in 1987 and added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2019, Hampden Bridge stands as a testament to engineering excellence and historical significance in our valley.
