A gamble – visitors currently dodge traffic, or the hazardous rock bridge, to go between the tourist precinct and Queen’s Park. 72530
By Kath Gannaway
WORK is expected to start in February 2012 on a pedestrian bridge over the Grace Burn, linking Queen’s Park with Healesville’s East End.
Yarra Ranges Council allocated $100,000 towards the $120,000 cost of the bridge in its 2011/12 budget. The remaining $20,000 was to come from the local business community.
Matt Schwab, manager of Beechworth Bakery, confirmed that the three businesses abutting the Grace Burn, the bakery, White Rabbit Brewery and Innocent Bystander Winery would contribute $10,000 towards the project.
Construction of the bridge was seen as a priority, with an increasing number of people crossing Maroondah Highway, walking along the road bridge, or using the makeshift rock bridge in the Grace Burn to go between the park and the East End tourist precinct.
“It’s great that it’s finally moving ahead,” Mr Schwab said.
“With the amount of water in the creek now, whether people take their chances jumping the creek or on the road, it’s a dangerous gamble,” he said.
Councillor Jeanette McRae said design plans had been finalised for the bridge which will be located 25 metres upstream from the road bridge and be of a similar design to the pedestrian bridge on the other side.
In response to the $10,000 shortfall, Cr McRae said: “It will be found.”
