The future running of trains by Yarra Valley Tourist Railway is dependent on the restoration of Donovans Road bridge.By Kath Gannaway
SHIRE of Yarra Ranges councillor Jeanette McRae is calling for action on repairs to a timber bridge closed by the shire five years ago.
The bridge, which crosses the railway line on Donovans Road in Healesville and provides access to two properties on the other side of the line, was closed because it was found to be unstable.
The Stoppa family and owners of another holiday property at the western end of Donovans Road now have to drive across the track, keeping an eye out for trolleys run by Yarra Valley Tourist Railway (YVTR) which operates the line.
“I’m not at all happy because this should have been resolved by now,” Cr McRae said.
Although the bridge, built in the late 19th century, has no official heritage value, it is believed to be the last remaining timber bridge over a working railway line.
The demise of the bridge has created a series of quandaries for stakeholders.
The YVTR will not be able to run trains on the line while the crossover is in use, and there are also questions as to whether the original 12-ton limit is sufficient for emergency vehicles, especially fire trucks.
Although the shire’s garbage trucks have used the bridge in the past, it would need a substantial, and expensive, upgrade if they were to use it in the future.
Yarra Ranges communications manager James Martin said the shire had held meetings with VicTrack and was pushing the organisation to spend money and reopen the bridge.
But in spite of five years of talks between the residents, the shire, VicTrack and YVTR, the future of the bridge is no nearer to being resolved.
Glenda Stoppa said the issue continued to go around in circles and she was concerned the access track was dangerous, especially on weekends and during school holidays when the YVTR ran trolley rides.
“It’s like beating your head against a brick wall,” she said.
“We have meetings, it all goes around the table and nothing happens.
“We have spoken with the shire about the visibility (along the track to the east) and they were going to cut the bank back, but that hasn’t happened either.”
VicTrack heritage and business manager Mike Ryan said the big question was who was going to pay for either restoration of the bridge or an upgrade to accommodate heavy vehicles.
Mr Ryan said the YVTR under its Order In Council was responsible for the bridge.
He said the railway had recently received $100,000 for bridgework but had to choose between the Watts River bridge and Donovans Road.
YVTR spokesman Pete Steedman said the bridge was very much part of the tourist experience and the body wanted to see it maintained.
“In terms of priorities we have fixed up everything and now must concentrate on getting the track done,” he said.
“As soon as the Watts River bridge is fixed we can run trains down to the tunnel.”
Mr Steedman agreed that trains could not run while the crossover was in use.
“Do we restore the bridge for the physical appeal, which can be done easily, or do we restore it to make an operating bridge as well?” he said.
“The needs are very different now to when it was originally built and they are the questions which need to be decided.”
Mr Martin said the shire was hoping to have more information this week on where VicTrack stood on the issue.
