Half the bridge not enough

Andrew Mathieson
BARWON Heads Bridge would be “cut in half” under the latest design proposal to repair the ageing structure, according to a community group.
Ocean Grove and District Community Association chairperson Michael Harbour accused Vicroads of “ignoring a ministerial directive” that the bridge remained intact.
“We believe the issue is also not just about the bridge but the planning principles of the ministerial direction of an independent panel,” Mr Harbour said.
“How can anyone, be it a statutory authority like Vicroads or a developer, ignore what their brief was.”
Mr Harbour has written an open letter to Planning Minister Justin Madden, Member for South Barwon MP Michael Crutchfield, Bellarine MP Lisa Neville and Heritage Victoria’s Ray Tonkin to express the association’s concern.
The Bracks Government announced in July last year before the state election that the bridge would be “saved” from demolition after independent reports found the bridge’s foundations were deteriorating.
The Vicroads’ proposal, released last week, called for removing 60 per cent of the bridge and building a new adjoining river crossing for vehicles and bicycles.
Vicroads plans to replicate the 1927 design on the new bridge to secure heritage approval.
“The whole bridge has a heritage listing, not half the bridge,” Mr Harbour said.
He demanded that Mr Madden ask Vicroads to withdraw the proposal despite accepting the final report and recommendations from the bridge’s advisory committee.
Mr Crutchfield dismissed the association’s demand.
“I’m surprised at Michael Harbour’s comments (in the letter), considering he is well aware of the processes involved,” Mr Crutchfield said.
“If he doesn’t like the proposal he should write a submission as part of that process.”
Leading Friends of the Bridge campaigner Bernard Napthine believed a proposal to re-build and widen the bridge was ignored despite an independent panel saying it was acceptable.
“I have no idea why they have rejected the proposals from the past and come up with a new proposal that we have never seen before,” he said.
“We really feel they are steamrolling us and not giving us enough time to discuss it.
“They’re drip-feeding information and, to be honest, the way Vicroads is proceeding is making a mockery of the whole process.”