Bridge picket threat

Jessica Benton
Residents could form a picket to stop State Government replacing Barwon Heads’ historic bridge, according to union and community group leaders.
Geelong Trades and Labour Council assistant secretary Rob Graauwmans said union members would “recognise the voice of the community” if residents picketed the bridge.
“If there happened to be a picket line we would not endorse union members to cross that line,” he said.
“I suspect that if there was a picket line a lot of the construction workers would walk away if not join it, anyway.
“It’s a long-standing tradition of the unions to listen to the people and the community expects us to uphold these standards.”
Barwon Heads Association president Geoff Waite said a recent meeting of members had discussed establishing a picket.
“In the face of this kind of stonewalling by State Government a significant number of people at the meeting wanted to put up a picket line but there were also people against the idea,” he said.
“Some said we should fight and the picket line was the way to do it but the association has not taken a stance.
“If an individual wants to organise a picket line then they’ll have to do it off their own back.
“Basically, if you don’t agree with it then don’t do it but if you do then do it.”
Friends of the Barwon Heads Bridge’s Bernard Napthine said whispers around town suggested residents would stage protests including a picket.
“I’ve heard people talking around town about it,” Mr Napthine said.
“They’re just really shocked by the government decisions and are starting to think of alternative options.”
The Government has defied community opposition and an upper house disallowment motion to instead push ahead with a controversial two-bridge plan for replacement of the existing bridge.
Mr Graauwmans likened the issue to Melbourne’s Collins Street’s Regent Theatre in the 1970s when a union black ban prevented demolition of the historic building.
Building unions played a major role in battle to save many heritage sites from development in the ’70s, he said.
Vicroads’ Duncan Elliott said work on demolishing the existing bridge and building the separate bridges for motorists and pedestrians was still at tender evaluation stage.
He said the project would start in May after falling a month behind schedule.