Memorial Park

The West Gate Bridge Memorial Park Association was established to honour the memory of those who lost their lives during the construction of the West Gate Bridge in 1970 and the Spotswood Yarra Sewer Tunnel collapse in 1895. More than a place of remembrance, the Association also works to raise awareness of workplace safety, fostering discussions and action among government, industry, and trade unions to prevent future tragedies.

On 15 October 2004, the West Gate Bridge Memorial Park officially opened on the 34th anniversary of the bridge disaster. The park incorporates the existing West Gate Bridge Memorial and Sculpture and the Spotswood Sewer Tunnel Memorial while complementing the Industrial Deaths Support and Advocacy (IDSA) Workers’ Memorial at the Victorian Trades Hall Council.

Located at the very site of the bridge’s collapse, the Memorial Park is a powerful and sobering tribute to those who have lost their lives in workplace accidents. At the same time, it acknowledges the significance of work itself, serving as a reminder that every worker deserves to return home safely at the end of the day.

The redevelopment of the West Gate Bridge Memorial Park was made possible through a $250,000 grant from the Victorian Government’s Community Support Fund, which reinvests gambling revenue into community projects. Additional funding contributions of $250,000 each were provided by WorkCover, Parks Victoria, and VicRoads, demonstrating a shared commitment to preserving the memory of those lost and ensuring safer workplaces for future generations.

Today, the park is maintained by Parks Victoria, ensuring that the stories of those who perished are never forgotten and that their sacrifices continue to drive improvements in workplace safety.

Memorial park

Voices of Remembrance.

The West Gate Bridge Memorial honours the sacrifice of 35 men who gave their lives, so that we could work in safer conditions. Their loss led to change that ensures we can go to work and return home safely to our families. Their memory will never be forgotten.

Working on the West Gate Bridge changed the lives of many, including mine. It was a wake-up call for all of us, seeing the dangers we faced and the need to fight for safety. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Being on the West Gate Bridge that day, so close to the collapse, was a moment I’ll never forget. The tragedy became the turning point for the entire construction industry.