Heads bridge rally to gauge picket support

Jessica Benton
A community rally on Sunday will gauge interest in forming a picket line to stop State Government demolishing and replacing Barwon Heads Bridge, according to an organiser.
Ocean Grove Community Association president Michael Harbour said the rally would serve as a “registration process” for the proposed community picket.
Mr Harbour said he believed that support for a picket was rising.
“The rally will seek registration of interested parties who want to take part in such a proposal,” he said.
“I understand that a picket line is well-supported in the community but the rally will really show the depth of interest and people who want to partake.”
The Independent reported last month that unions had vowed not to cross any community picket protesting the Government’s controversial two-bridge plan for Barwon Heads.
The Government plans to demolish the historic bridge and replace it with two separate river crossings for vehicles and pedestrians.
The proposal has drawn widespread opposition from residents, visitors and environmentalists.
Mr Harbour said organisers expected hundreds of Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads residents to attend the rally to show their “detest” for the Government’s two-bridge plan, with work set to begin.
“This is not aimed at the contractor, it’s specifically aimed at Vicroads and the State Government,” he said.
“It’s aimed to keep the Government and all politicians aware of the stake that the Brumby Government has made in going ahead with the two-bridge plan.
“It’ll also keep it in the spotlight leading up to the next state election.”
The Government defied community opposition and an upper house disallowment motion to push ahead with the two-bridge plan.
Objectors fear the road and pedestrian bridges will damage an adjacent sandy spit.
Friends of the Barwon Heads Bridge’s Bernard Napthine said the rally would run during high tide so organisers could demonstrate the fragility of the spit.
The rally would begin at midday on Barwon Heads’ foreshore, he said.