Moira Shire Council, Victoria, and Federation Council, New South Wales, are waiting for a decision by the two state governments on the route of a new bridge across the Murray River so work can start on the multi-million dollar Yarrawonga Foreshore Masterplan.
Moira Shire Mayor, Libro Mustica said both councils had actively canvassed their communities for their preference on which route the new bridge should take and both consultations came back with a definitive answer.
“We are hoping the results of the local plebiscite conducted by Moira Shire Council and the community vote by Federation Council which showed overwhelmingly locals wanted the Green Route, will sway the governments of both New South Wales and Victoria to publically declare support for the Green Route.
“This issue is now becoming urgent.
“The Weir Bridge was due to close in 2020 with work on a new traffic bridge to at least have been started by now, but we are now almost a third of the way through 2021 and still waiting on the two state governments to listen to our communities, and make a
final decision.
“Council has created a Yarrawonga Foreshore Masterplan which has been designed to complement our community’s decision for the Green Route, and this Masterplan has been sent to both state governments to show we are ready to go with a fantastic development as soon as the new traffic bridge has been built.”
Federation Council Mayor, Pat Bourke said businesses on both sides of the border were in waiting mode, holding off on expansion or start up decisions until the bridge route had been finalised.
“Federation Council has committed to and commenced extensive foreshore improvement works including a wonderful all abilities playground and walking/cycling tracks.
“But like our businesses, it is difficult to progress improvement works with any confidence because the bridge route decision is still ‘pending’ after all these months, years even, despite the residents of Yarrawonga and Mulwala voting in record numbers for the Green Route.
“We call on the New South Wales and Victorian governments to support community sentiment on both sides of the Murray and endorse the Green Route as the
preferred bridge crossing.”
