Call it ESP (extra-sensory perception) or just predictable but way back in 2006 our resident cartoonist (Colin “Woody” Wood) had the current situation of a new bridge crossing for Yarrawonga Mulwala all summed up.
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For those who may not remember or are new to the issue Murray Darling Basin Authority and Goulburn Murray Water indicated in 2002 and then confirmed in 2006 that they would close the weir bridge for vehicular traffic. Below is a summary of key events related to the bridge saga.
The two-decade long bridge saga
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) indicated their plan to close the weir bridge back in 2002 to ensure the ongoing safety of workers and to preserve the integrity of the weir wall, which performs a vital function in the operation of the Murray River.
Moira Shire Council at the time also identified the existing bridge inadequate for modern transport but it took until the late 2000s for the issue to really get moving with the state road authorities.
In 2008 local farmers moving heavy machinery joined calls for urgent action on a new Lake Mulwala bridge. A delegation followed from Moira and Corowa Shires with visits to the then NSW Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal and NSW Regional Development Minister Tony Kelly to campaign for a location study to determine the new route of a new Lake Mulwala bridge.
Several months later Victorian Roads Minister Nick Pallas confirmed the state government’s commitment to deliver a new Yarrawonga-Mulwala bridge by 2020.
In 2011 a shortlist of three Yarrawonga Mulwala bridge options was released publicly from an initial list of six proposed routes. In July 2012, Corowa Shire Council had picked the grey route (alongside the current main bridge) for the new Yarrawonga Mulwala bridge.
More than 10,000 people signed a petition in support of the green route (alongside the railway line) for the new Yarrawonga Mulwala bridge in 2014.
Then later that year it was announced by Victorian Minister for Public Transport and Roads Terry Mulder the new Yarrawonga Mulwala bridge crossing would be built on the green route in 2014, and in an unexpected twist, the existing bridge will be retained for pedestrian and cyclist use.
Just 12 months later, in one of the most eagerly anticipated announcements of 2015, the then Victorian Roads Minister Luke Donnellan revealed the new Yarrawonga Mulwala bridge crossing would be actually built on the grey route option – directly alongside the existing crossing. Mr Donnellan also confirmed the existing ‘traffic’ bridge would be removed.
In March 2017 Moira Shire Council voted unanimously to commission an independent plebiscite of the Yarrawonga community to establish its view on a route for the new traffic bridge despite the fact both the Victorian and NSW governments had already endorsed the grey route as the preferred option. The plebiscite returned overwhelmingly in favour of the green route. Of the 8824 ballot packs sent out to residents in the 3730 and 3728 postcode areas 3129 residents voted for the green route as their preference for the new Yarrawonga Mulwala bridge.
In 2018 a river crossings investment report commissioned by road authorities on both sides of the river indicated a 5-10 year wait for a new replacement bridge for Yarrawonga Mulwala. Along with an expected new load limit on the Burley Road channel bridge it was described as a “nightmare” result for Belmore Street.
In November 2019 a whirlwind visit to Yarrawonga Mulwala by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack all but confirmed the federal government will get behind both councils for a $100 million new bridge crossing on the green route location alongside the existing railway line.
After meeting with both Moira Shire and Federation Council mayors and executive officers the deputy prime minister and minister for infrastructure, transport and regional development made it very clear that he is happy to work with both state governments to move the project forward.
Mr McCormack did not rule out a 40-30-30 percentage split in funding similar to the new $300 plus million Echuca Moama crossing where the federal government committed to 40 per cent.
Earlier this year the permanent closing of the weir bridge to vehicular traffic was pushed back to July 2021 by MDBA. Moira Shire Council remained concerned of the resultant road safety in Yarrawonga and gridlock on Belmore Street.
Chief Executive Officer Mark Henderson said Belmore Street is already congested and larger trucks currently avoid it where they can by using the weir route alternative.
“Putting all that extra heavy freight load into the town’s main street will increase the safety risk and seriously impact retail business and tourism,” Mr Henderson said.
Mr Henderson said years of road safety risk and congestion could have been avoided if the green route bridge favoured by independent studies, both communities and both councils was constructed.
MDBA had initially confirmed the weir bridge would close in the second half of 2020 late last year but the need for essential maintenance work on the main Yarrawonga Mulwala Traffic Bridge must be completed first so it can cope with the increased traffic expected from the weir bridge’s closure.
Regional Roads Victoria (North Eastern Region) Regional Director, Steve Bowmaker, said the MDBA’s commitment to working cooperatively with the state road agencies to select a closing date has allowed for local planning and maintenance.
“This change will affect traffic patterns as road users come to rely on the Yarrawonga Mulwala Bridge as the sole means of driving across the river,” Mr Bowmaker said.
“This is why we are providing as much notice as we can to ensure motorists, businesses and local residents can plan for the change.
“Importantly, people will still be able to walk or ride their bikes across the weir.”
On average, 1200 crossings of the weir crossing are made each day, compared with 8500 crossings of the Yarrawonga Mulwala Bridge.
It was expected work to repair the bridge’s steel truss along with the upgrade of traffic and pedestrian barriers was to already begin in April or May this year and finish by June 2021.
But with the COVID-19 pandemic delaying works on many projects we may now even see a further extension to the weir bridge closure.
But as far as a new bridge goes.. maybe the Chronicle should commission Woody to do another cartoon. It may the only prediction we can rely on!