Planning Minister Justin Madden has used the Planning and Environment Act to ensure the Barwon Heads Bridge Project will go ahead.
Mr Madden said the project is too important to allow it to become a political tool for the Opposition and the Greens Party.
“The Brumby Government is taking action to reconstruct this historic bridge and improving its safety,” Mr Madden said.
“An independent Advisory Committee appointed in 2006 by the then Minister for Planning to conduct public hearings and review bridge options.
“The report, completed in January 2007, recommended the two bridge option, because a single bridge, incorporating the heritage aspects could not be achieved.
“When one bridge was proposed the community indicated its overwhelming opposition to a proposal that didn’t adapt part of the original materials of the bridge.
At the request of Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas, Mr Madden made an order under section 16 of the Planning and Environment Act (1987) to exempt the Barwon Heads Bridge project from the requirements of the Act and the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
“The project can now proceed as intended under the already issued statutory coastal and heritage approvals,” Mr Madden said.
“As was proposed, the existing bridge will be reconstructed and feature much of the heritage character whilst allowing VicRoads to meet essential safety and load-bearing requirements"
The conditions include requirements for VicRoads to offset any vegetation removal and that a Development Plan and Construction Management Plan be submitted for approval by the Planning Minister prior to construction.
Member for South Barwon Michael Crutchfield MP welcomed the decision, saying the safety of local residents and visitors to the area was in jeopardy.
“In 2005, VicRoads found the bridge only had four to six years of life left unless significant rehabilitation works were undertaken to address serious structural problems,” Mr Crutchfield said.
“As always with such projects, there have been a variety of local community views on this project. The community can now move forward and support the construction of the new bridge, which was an election commitment.”
Community consultation for the Barwon Heads Bridge included four public forums/information sessions, a week-long public display, numerous opportunities for the community to make written submissions. A series of information bulletins and newspaper advertisements was also released and a roundtable discussion with key stakeholders. |
