Name ‘hijack’

Kim Waters
A STATE Government competition to rename Barwon Heads Bridges has enraged residents, according to community leaders.
Barwon Heads Traders Association president Hamish Lonsdale labelled the competition a “political hijack” that had sparked a “flurry of phone calls” from angry residents.
Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas announced the competition this week as part of Government plans to open the bridge a week before next month’s state election.
Mr Lonsdale said a bridge stakeholder liaison committee of community leaders, VicRoads, City of Greater Geelong and Barwon Coast representatives only heard about the competition last week.
“We were basically just expected to rubber-stamp the idea on the spot,” he said.
“The community leaders felt that it was inappropriate for a process like this to be politicised and suggested that it should be finalised after the election.
“We all believed the suggestion was being considered and then we got a media release this week announcing the official naming and opening on November 20 instead of December 11, which is what we had fought for.”
Mr Lonsdale said the Government’s competition had reopened “old wounds”.
“The bridge issue has been the most divisive and bitter debate I can ever remember and it’s lasted for years,” he said.
Mr Lonsdale questioned the Government’s timing for the official naming ceremony.
“To hear they’ve made a decision to stick to their own timeframe and not consider ours flies in the face of community input.”
South Barwon MP Michael Crutchfield said the liaison committee would shortlist entries.
“We’d like to name the new road bridge something that honours the original Barwon Heads Bridge, while we’re calling on local school children to name the new pedestrian bridge to signify the future of the community,” he said.