Arabic version: إزالة كتابات عنصرية من جسر كوتاجي التاريخي

According to ABC News, profanity and racist language was found graffitied on Cuttagee Bridge on the New South Wales Far South Coast over the weekend. The historic timber bridge, built in 1892, is on a route used by tourists travelling south from Bermagui to Tathra.

Members of the public noticed the explicit graffiti on Sunday, said Phillip Coates, spokesman for the Restoration of Cuttagee Bridge group. He described the language as “sickening”, “extremely shameful” and racist. The message is believed to refer to Djiringanj man and traditional elder Uncle Gary Campbell.

Mr Campbell said his family had been left distressed and that he believed the vandalism was aimed at him. He said the incident was tied to his publicly expressed views on the bridge, including concerns that construction of a replacement structure could disturb artefacts and burial sites in the area.

Bega Valley Shire Council chief executive Anthony McMahon condemned the act, saying racism had no place in the community. He said the graffiti was a personal attack as well as criminal vandalism that created a safety risk for road users. Council staff removed the graffiti on Monday morning, and the incident has been reported to police.

NSW Police have urged anyone with information to contact Bega Police or Crime Stoppers. Cuttagee Bridge has been the focus of years of community and political debate. The council last year voted to replace the ageing single-lane timber structure with a two-lane concrete bridge, before deciding this year to progress a two-lane hybrid design with concrete, decorative timber elements, a shared pathway and handrails. The project has received $15 million from the NSW government, with a further $15 million commitment announced in July.