Source: 'Brisbane City Council Advertisement' (1990) The Courier Mail (Brisbane) July 6 p6

Reasoning

Reasoning and justification for the bridge.

The construction of the Story Bridge was not one of logistical convenience or necessity. In fact its precence did not justify itself by the relief of traffic congestion but rather as a means for boosting morale and creating employment. The Story Bridge made its appearence during an era in which Brisbane was striving through a period of economic hardship and world wide political unrest. This period was otherwise known as the great depression. During the 1930's, as a consequence of the depression, a world wide romance with bridges took form. A prime reason for this was the fact that a structure of such jingoistic beauty, could be created in a time of such despair.

The economic disaster which plagued the world produced a record rate of unemployment in the city of Brisbane. Town planners that the construction of this bridge would not only improve Brisbanes skyline but to aid the 're-employment' of Brisbane citizens. Hence the offical justification as stated in the 'First annual report of the Bureau of Industry' (1934, p28) was fundamentaly based on the grounds of employment. Thus, the concept of the Story Bridge was born. The idea of the bridge sparked the imaginations of a city and in consequence construction began in 1936. This Bridge was to become the pride and joy of a state.