By Brendan Rees
Tooradin residents have rallied to save the town’s iconic footbridge but Casey Council has reassured the community it is a priority for the end of year budget.
The footbridge, which has been closed since March due to safety reasons, has prompted the Tooradin Business Association to start a petition.
The Association’s secretary Rochelle Halstead said they were disappointed the bridge was in a state of disrepair given it was one the town’s top tourism attractions.
“It’s really unfair on the people of Tooradin,” she said.
“I would’ve thought if it was on the radar, why haven’t they started already on designing, and planning and talking to the different government department before it gets to a point that it’s unsafe?”
“The Association’s view is that bridge is not just a bridge to the local community, it’s actually part of Tooradin’s identity,” she said.
Balla Balla Ward councillor Geoff Ablett said he couldn’t understand why residents were “jumping up and down” when council was working towards the best outcome.
“They haven’t spoken to me and they haven’t spoken to the Tooradin Foreshore Committee; it’s ad-hoc, and it’s not the way I work,” he said.
“I have no record on my phone of a message in regard to the bridge.
“Once the necessary planning and design work has been done and finalised, I plan to make this a priority to be considered for inclusion in the next available budget review,” Cr Ablett said.
Tooradin Foreshore Committee member Tim Burgess said he was satisfied council was doing everything they could to get the footbridge back in action.
