Rally to put down bridge’s footprint

Jessica Benton
HUNDREDS of Barwon Heads residents and visitors are set to form a “human bridge footprint” on the town’s riverbank during a mass rally on Sunday.
Friends of the Barwon Heads Bridge’s Bernard Napthine said the 1pm rally would be a “last ditch effort” to stop the Government’s plan to replace the bridge.
“The purpose is to show the Brumby Government what the community feels about the final Vicroads proposal and to demand a proper forum to achieve a one-bridge solution,” he said.
Vicroads won approval in August to build a new bridge six metres downstream with an adjacent pedestrian river crossing. Work is set to start in March.
Residents opposed the pedestrian bridge, fearing impacts including environmental damage to Ocean Grove Spit and loss of car parks at Barwon Heads.
Mr Napthine said the rally would demonstrate politicians had failed to listen to the community.
“We want hundreds and hundreds of people to turn up. People power is the only way the Government will listen.”
New Barwon Heads ward councillor Andy Richards, who campaigned for a one-bridge solution in the lead-up to council elections, said he would speak at the rally but refused to criticise the Government or local MPs.
“I think the Government can put its position quite adequately itself,” he said.
But neighbouring ward councillor Jan Farrell branded the bridge plan “disgusting”.
“After four years of campaigning I refuse to believe this is the only outcome available to us.
“We need to continue to fight until somebody hears us.”