Sydney's new $63 million bridge

Sydney's new $63 million bridge
Staff ReporterDecember 7, 2020

The privately funded $63 million Bennelong Bridge linking the Sydney suburbs of Wentworth Point with Rhodes in Homebush Bay has been opened, cutting the travel distance between the two suburbs down from 8km to 330 metres. 

The official opening began with a traditional Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Aboriginal elders Uncle Max Eulo and Uncle Allen Madden, in honour of its namesake Bennelong. 

(L to R) Sekisui House Australia Managing Director, Toru Abe, Homebush Bay Holdings, Michael Narunsky, Homebush Bay Properties Michael Nasser, Billbergia Group, Managing Director, John Kinsella

The bridge was developed under a voluntary planning agreement by four Wentworth Point landowners headed by Billbergia Group, together with Sekisui House, Homebush Bay Holdings and Homebush Bay Properties.  

Wentworth Point Landowners representative Rick Graf said the bridge was an essential component in the delivery of one Australia’s biggest urban renewal developments, and spurring significant and positive urban change to the geographic heart of metropolitan Sydney. 

“As one of Sydney’s fastest growing regions, with Wentworth Point and Rhodes’ population expected to reach 45,000 within the next 10 years, the Landowners felt it was imperative that the required infrastructure was built ahead of the community demand,” said Mr Graf.  

 “Bennelong Bridge, which is entirely privately funded, is a great example of how business and government can collaborate to deliver public infrastructure at no cost to the taxpayer and bring enormous benefit to local communities.” 

The Bridge is the first new bridge to be built in Sydney Harbour since 1995 and connects some 50 km of walking and cycling tracks throughout the area.  

Rhodes will now have access to the Wentworth Point ferry wharf and Wentworth Point will have direct access to Rhodes railway station and new bus routes. 

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