100 sign to stop work on bridges

Jessica Benton
About 100 people have vowed to stop workers replacing Barwon Heads Bridge, according to Ocean Grove Community Association’s president.
Michael Harbour said the objectors were among 300 people at a community rally on Sunday when they signed up to prevent work on State Government’s controversial two-bridge project
“The point is to stop the workers from going on site and to say to the contractors that we don’t want them working on the project,” Mr Harbour said.
“We’ve got the support of the trades and labour council, which has recommended that unions members do not cross a picket line or any such protest.”
State Government plans to demolish the historic bridge and replace it with separate river crossings for vehicles and pedestrians.
The proposal has drawn widespread opposition from residents, visitors and environmentalists.
Vicroads’ Duncan Elliott warned that police would pounce on illegal protests at the bridge.
“The safety of our workers and the general community during construction is our biggest responsibility and we take it very seriously,” Mr Elliott said.
“Any unlawful activity on site will be a police matter.”
Barwon Heads Association president Geoffrey Waite said State Government still had time to retract the widely condemned bridge plan.
Mr Waite said Affiliation of Bellarine Community Associations, comprising presidents of local community groups, had sent a letter to Premier John Brumby expressing “great concern that State Government was overriding the community’s wishes.