For almost 100 years, the iconic landmark stood astride the Murrumbidgee River, providing a vital link as Wagga grew into a city. In 1995, just short of its centenary, it was closed when the Wiradjuri Bridge opened.

The wooden bridge was designed by Percy Allan, famous for his Allan Truss design, but it was never heritage listed. After the bridge was handed to council, it deteriorated for a number of years until it was finally demolished in 2014.

Former councillor Ray Goodlass, who spearheaded a campaign to adapt the bridge for use in a bigger riverside precinct, said any tribute to its legacy would always be tinged with sadness.

“A tribute to the bridge using some of the old material will certainly remind us what was there, but it would have been far better if it was kept in use as a means of linking the full circuit of a riverside precinct,” Mr Goodlass said.

“That was the dream, to use it for markets, weddings and photos, which would have been beautiful.

“But the cost to restore it and make it safe was quite prohibitive, which is sad because it was a fine piece of not just Wagga’s history but also Australian history, a great testament to what was achieved in the 19^th Century.”

At Monday night’s council meeting, a concept for the tribute was approved and the project will now progress to a detailed design stage.

According to council, the project aims to commemorate the social, historical and engineering significance of the Hampden Bridge, on behalf of the community.

The concept includes the rehabilitation and restoration of the northern and southern sides of the bridge crossing and will include commemorative items.

The plan to memorialise the Hampden Bridge comes as Gundagai fights to save its heritage rail bridge.

There are fears the railway bridge, once part of the Cootamundra to Tumut line, could face demolition, but the Gundagai Historic Bridges group wants to see it preserved.

The 114-year-old, 924 metre steel span bridge, is considered a significant tourism attraction, as is the Prince Alfred Bridge, which has now deteriorated beyond repair.

“Reminders are better than nothing,” Mr Goodlass said.

“But it’s far better to maintain and use these structures instead.

“A tribute might show some of the engineering or pieces of joints but it won’t show the majesty of what an amazing piece of engineering it was or the load it carried for a century.”