By Jed Lanyon
Almost four years on from the removal of McMahons Creek footbridge and local residents are still looking for answers as to if or when it will be replaced.
In 2017, the pedestrian bridge adjacent to Woods Point Road was removed by VicRoads following safety concerns. Eildon MP Cindy McLeish said this caused angst among Reefton residents as it physically divided the community.
Yarra Ranges Council and the Reefton McMahons Creek Action Group (RMAG) have continued to rally for the bridge to be urgently replaced.
RMAG Chairman Russell Brown said, “When they took the bridge down, we were promised a replacement. VicRoads is dodging their responsibility.
“The road bridge is too narrow, no shoulders, and never clean of debris for passing traffic. It’s unsafe, especially for kids and elderly. Whilst we need a 20-meter bridge, pedestrians currently need to walk 70 meters to safely get off the road.
“The footbridge is the connection between McMahons Creek and Reefton, which is so important for our community”
O’Shannassy Councillor Jim Child has long advocated to see a new bridge built so locals can avoid using Woods Point Road.
“We just want the bridge reinstated out there. It was removed by VicRoads and they said it would be replaced and we’re going close to four years now and the bridge is nowhere near being reinstated,” he said.
“What really concerns me is if it will come to an occasion where a young person is going to be injured and let’s hope it’s not a fatality on that bridge.
“Especially when our engineering staff confirmed that they believe the Woods Point Road bridge is unsafe in regards to pedestrian traffic because of the actual curve in the road and the 80km/h road limit. Pedestrians should not be out on that road.”
Mr Child will once again bring the matter before council to urge action from the State Government.
A Department of Transport spokesperson told Star Mail, “Keeping everyone safe is our highest priority and we carefully consider all suggestions from the community on a case-by-case basis to ensure any proposed changes are safe and appropriate for all road users.
“We are continuing to investigate options to support the local community in safely crossing McMahons Creek.”
The Department of Transport said an independant road safety audit was carried out on the bus stops on Reefton Drive at the intersection of Woods Point Road and Reefton Drive, which had been relocated following the closure of the pedestrian bridge. The audit deemed the location of the bus stop to be safe and appropriate.
The existing 80km/h speed limit on Woods Point Road is consistent with the Victorian Speed Zoning guidelines and other similar roads across the state, according to the department. This includes the installation of advance warning signs to make motorists aware of the bus stop and children crossing the road.
In February last year, the department met with the school bus operator and representatives from Upper Yarra Secondary College and East Warburton Primary School and it was agreed the new location of the bus stop would remain.
Ms McLeish said she requested access to all relevant documents through Freedom of Information (FOI) in November 2019. This included access to both government and VicRoads documents concerning the replacement of the footbridge over McMahons Creek.
“I was told by the agency initially that no documents existed post 2017,” she said. “I thought that was highly unlikely as I raised the matter in parliament and there had been media coverage of the issue. That’s why I requested a review of the decision.”
Ms McLeish said that on review, the agency managed to identify eight documents in total relevant to the request but only granted access to one document in full. The remaining seven documents withhold information or have only been released in part.
“The lack of information uncovered through FOI is concerning and shows something is amiss. The community deserve to know what’s going on and why their bridge isn’t being replaced.”
