Cindy McLeish, MLA for Eildon

The need for a new pedestrian bridge at McMahons Creek, just south of the iconic Reefton Hotel, was raised in State Parliament last week by Cindy McLeish, MLA for Eildon.

“The local community want to see this project prioritised for funding,” Ms McLeish told the Legislative Assembly.

“In 2017 the bridge was demolished by VicRoads, citing safety concerns and risk to pedestrians. It has never been replaced.

“This has left the community divided. They are certainly not divided on the issue of the reinstatement of the bridge, but they are now physically divided from each other by a river with no bridge.

“To get from one side to the other pedestrians or cyclists need to venture onto Woods Point Road. This involves walking around a blind corner in an 80-kilometre-an-hour zone, and this is simply not acceptable.

“Woods Point Road is really busy, all the more so with the considerable work being done to upgrade the Upper Yarra dam.

“I am pleased that the Minister for Water is at the table because she will be able to confirm to the Minister for Roads the increased busyness of this section of road.

“The number of truck movements per day along this road has increased dramatically—an extra two trucks per hour for 18 months or so, significantly increasing the risk to locals.

“The minister needs to recognise, understand and respect the needs of small communities.

“Connectedness is so important. It should be easy for children and adults to move around safely.

“The pedestrian bridge allowed this to happen. The small communities of McMahons Creek and Reefton have rallied to continue to push for the bridge to be replaced.

“They have formed the Reefton and McMahons Creek Action Group. I am so impressed by this group. They are so organised and very focused on a number of community projects, and this is one of their key priorities.

“They meet regularly, and I have been to a number of their meetings. Now, some 15 months or so ago in this place I called for the immediate reinstatement of the bridge.

“The community have written to the Department of Transport and to the minister requesting meetings and pleading for the bridge to be
replaced. They believe the government is failing to keep their community safe.

“The Yarra Ranges Shire Council as recently as last week and local councillor Jim Child continue to be supportive.

“They have moved a motion again to write to the Department of Transport and to the relevant ministers. Now, this should not be the case, because this is a safety matter.

“There had been costs bandied around—that it could be $2 million, which is absolutely outrageous because there seems to be no understanding of how this figure has been arrived at, with costs actually “being closer to $200 000.

“I think that is a lot more reasonable. It is something that should be done and needs to be done, and it needs to be done with some urgency,” Ms McLeish said.