Monkerai is a large rural area located in the hills in the land between Dungog and Gloucester in Great Lakes Council, in the Hunter Region, New South Wales, Australia. Monkerai is traditionally timber and dairy country but in previous years has become grazing country.
Monkerai boasts the following attractions - a public hall and a historic bridge. It is surrounded by state forests and national parks, including the Black Bulga State Conservation Area.
Historic timber truss bridge in Monkerai
The historic Monkerai Bridge over Karuah River, located on the Weismantels-Dingadee Rd, Monkerai, is a timber truss bridge, completed in 1882, and is not open for traffic until it is repaired. "The Monkerai bridge is a rare and representative example of Old PWD timber truss road bridges, and is assessed as being Nationally significant, primarily on the basis of its technical and historical significance" The Monkerai Karuah River Bridge is featured in a short film, "Maintaining the Links"
In October 2015, a Roads and Maritime Services Spokesperson stated that the "Roads and Maritime Services has progressively been upgrading heritage timber bridges in the Hunter Region with Hinton and Dunmore Bridges already completed.
Current bridges programmed for upgrade include Middle Fallbrook and Brig O’Johnston Bridges. Monkerai Bridge is included in the upgrading program and will follow these bridges.
The upgraded bridge will meet current vehicle load standards, capable of carrying a 42.5 tonne semi-trailer or equivalent without significantly affecting the appearance of the bridge. The proposed upgrade will also ensure that its heritage aspects can be retained in line with the requirements of the Heritage Act.
Roads and Maritime will carry out community consultation on the proposed upgrade during the early planning and design stages of the project proposed to start next year ."