Pics from the Past | The Mooroopna-Shepparton High Road and Low Road

By Geoff Allemand

Aug 11, 2023

Elevated: Mooroopna-Shepparton High Road. Source: Lost Shepparton.

Back in the early years of Mooroopna and Shepparton the road between the towns was but a track. As both towns grew and with the introduction of motor vehicles, the need for an all-weather road became hugely important. In 1887 a huge flood exacerbated the problem. “As will be seen by our telegrams today, heavy floods are reported to have taken place in the Goulburn Valley, the river rising to within a few feet of its height during the great flood of 1870. Many of the inhabitants have had to take refuge in the trees, the whole country between Mooroopna and Shepparton has been entirely submerged and all traffic stopped.” (Albany Mail August 6, 1887)

Heavy going: Mooroopna-Shepparton Low Road circa 1910s. Source: Shepparton Heritage Centre.

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A few months later, when the floods had subsided, the Shepparton Shire Council had had enough of the government’s inaction to help fund a new road. “At their meeting, where it was estimated the cost would be around £1000, it was moved, that the government be asked on behalf of the Shire of Shepparton and the Shire of Rodney, to make the road at the country’s expense. All over the colony the government were making grants for works not half as important as this. Life of men and animals was frequently lost through the condition of the road, and vehicles of every description were damaged.” (Shepparton Advertiser December 16, 1887)

The answer was for a new elevated road (high road) above the major flood level. In the book The History of Shepparton 1838-1938, W.S. James in 1938 details the history of this stretch of road. “The road between Mooroopna and Shepparton has gone through many changes. Originally there was a track from Mooroopna to the punt at the foot of High Street. When the first bridge was built at the foot of Fryers Street, the track was diverted from the punt to this quarter. However, in winter it was a problem to get to the bridge, and after much agitation a scheme for constructing a high road and bridges was brought before the authorities.

No way through: Mooroopna-Shepparton Low Road. Source: *Streets of Shepparton* by Raymond West, 1953.

“This scheme was approved, and on January 11, 1908, a contract was let to construct a high road. This cost £1735. It served for many years in a bad state for lack of maintenance. Many improvements were made from time to time but all were unsatisfactory. The shires of Shepparton and Rodney found it a problem on account of the increased traffic. After the flood in 1916 the road was repaired, but motor traffic necessitated continual maintenance. Insufficient municipal funds caused the road to be one of the worst in the state. New concrete bridges were built with government assistance and the road re-made about 1920. On the Borough Council coming into being in 1927 it was hoped a progressive move would be made to recondition the road, for it was again worn out. After two years of waiting an agreement was arranged between the Shire of Rodney and the Shepparton Borough, and the road was put in order once again by being re-metalled. Such costly work required costly maintenance, and on the road being brought under the notice of the Country Roads Board by the two councils, it was scarified, re-made and ‘bitumened’ in 1932. Had there been more foresight used, money would have been saved in making the road less frequently. Perhaps no road in the state has caused more worry, heart-burnings and ill-feeling. This road is the main crossing of the Goulburn north of Seymour and one of the busiest crossings in the northern part of the state.”

From the 1940s to now there have been many repairs and improvements made to the high road and its bridges. The widening of the road to four lanes in later years was a major undertaking and these days the main issue arises when the causeway is blocked due to an accident. An alternative route has been suggested, but the wheels of progress turn slowly, and it continues to be a worry to residents and businesses alike as the government of the day seems to be hard of hearing to provide a solution. So, when driving from Shepparton to Mooroopna we can glance to the left to see where the low road once was and be reminded that new roads take time — just like it did more than 120 years ago.