Royal Commission on the Failure of a Portion of the West Gate Bridge

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The Royal Commission into the Failure of a Portion of the West Gate Bridge was established under the West Gate Bridge Royal Commission Act 1970, which was issued and published in the Victorian Government Gazette on 21 October 1970. The Honorable Edward Hamilton Esler Barber, a Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria was appointed Chairman of the Royal Commission.

On the 15 October 1970 at 11.50am, the 367-ft span of the West Gate Bridge known as span 10-11 being one of the spans on the western side of the Yarra River, suddenly collapsed. Thirty five men lost there lives that day and many others were injured. At the time, the collapse was considered the most tragic industrial accident in the history of Victoria.

The Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission were:

- To inquire into and report upon the circumstances surrounding and the cause or causes direct and indirect of the failure on the 15th October, 1970, of the steel span between piers 10 and 11 of the bridge known as West Gate Bridge being constructed for the Lower Yarra Crossing Authority over the Lower Yarra River at Spotswood.

On 23 February 1971, the Governor in Council extended the Terms of Reference at the request of the Honorable Edward Hamilton Esler Barber, to include

- To inquire into and report upon whether any aspect of the design of the steel span between piers 10 and 11 is inadequate or undesirable.

The Commission held a Preliminary Hearing on the 28 October 1970 and thereafter between the 5th November 1970 and the 1st day of December, 1970 and the 3rd day of February 1971, and the 15th day of June 1971, sittings upon 80 days. Evidence was presented from 52 witnesses. Of the 319 exhibits received in evidence there were correspondence, legal documents, plans, drawings and photographs.

The final report of the Royal Commission dated 14 July 1971 was published in Papers Presented to Parliament: Session 1971-72 Vol 3. Pg. 1119-1261.