Frustrations are boiling over as the Victorian Government continues to stall over a decision on the preferred route for a new Yarrawonga Mulwala bridge.
The Victorian Government remains under fire for timewasting and indecision over its preferred route for a new Yarrawonga Mulwala Bridge.
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The State Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy and the Federal Member for Nicholls, Sam Birrell have long advocated for the project to take priority and are running out of patience with the lack of action.
The community, local government and the NSW Government have all made clear their preference for the Green Route.
However, the Victorian Government is yet to make a commitment, preferring to appoint consultants to conduct another study and holding up progress on a business case needed to access Federal Government funding.
Mr McCurdy has blasted the Victorian Government for continuing to delay a final decision, despite clear support from the New South Wales Government for the Green Route.
Mr Birrell said the Yarrawonga-Mulwala Bridge had been a long-standing priority for the local community and it was time for the Victorian Government to listen.
“The community has made its position clear - the Green Route is the preferred option,” Mr Birrell said.
“This isn’t just a local preference; it’s a practical, widely supported solution that reflects consultation and local advocacy.”
Nicholls MP Sam Birrell says the Green Route is a widely supported solution that reflects consultation with local government and local communities.
Farrer MP and Federal Opposition Leader, Sussan Ley has watched cross-border projects for many years and said she knows how important it was to determine the exact route as a first step.
“We really need the two Labor state governments to get their act together here and recognise that the Yarrawonga Mulwala communities have waited far too long for the critical planning stage to be completed,” she said.
“I stand ready to continue to advocate for this very important river crossing.”
Member for Farrer Sussan Ley says the first step is has to be determining the exact route.
Photo by
Cath Grey
Mr McCurdy wrote to Transport Infrastructure Minister, Gabrielle Williams in January this year asking for her support for the Green Route.
He said Albury MP, Justin Clancy had assured him that NSW had their bridge alignment approved by the NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, and the Green Route was the preferred route.
“I strongly urge you to approve the Green Route … as soon as practical for the Yarrawonga community,” he told Ms Williams.
He concluded by saying that “with an election looming, we are keen to seek Federal support (at least 60 per cent funding) for the main bridge infrastructure”.
Mr McCurdy finally received a response to his letter on June 26, from Minister for Roads and Safety, Melissa Horne, eight weeks after the election.
Ms Horne acknowledged that the NSW Government now supported the Green Route and that increased traffic in Belmore St and the closure of the Yarrawonga Weir had altered community perspectives since the previously agreed Grey Route.
“Recognising the importance of a collaborative, cross-border approach to determining the preferred bridge alignment, a consultant team appointed by the Department of Transport and Planning is conducting a detailed study,” Ms Horne said.
“This study will not only inform the Victorian Government’s endorsement of a final option but also consider broader land use planning and transport strategies that will benefit the Yarrawonga and Mulwala communities.”
Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy is fed up with stalling by the Victorian Government.
Mr McCurdy said the latest response from the Victorian Government confirmed it had again deferred progress in favour of yet another consultancy process.
“The response I received confirms what locals have suspected, Labor has no real plan to deliver this bridge,” Mr McCurdy said.
“One can only wonder how many more consultants will be required to keep kicking this decision down the road.”
“This bridge has been in the pipeline for years; it’s time for the (government) to stop dragging its heels and get on with delivering this essential regional infrastructure.”
Mr Birrell agreed saying the Victorian Government needed to stop dragging its feet and get on with finalising the project.
“Only then can the Federal Government properly assess and support funding for this critical piece of regional infrastructure," he said.
The New South Wales Government, local councils and local communities have agreed on a Green Route but Victoria is stalling on the decision and holding up progress on business case needed to secure Federal Government funding.
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