GO NAGAMBIE REQUESTS IMMEDIATE ACTION FOR OLD CHINAMAN’S BRIDGE

Go Nagambie representing the interests of businesses and community members in the Nagambie and Avenel are currently lobbying the State Attorney General and Minister for Emergency Services, Jaclyn Symes for remedial action due to the perilous condition of Old Chinaman’s Bridge following the devastating floods in October and November last year.

Go Nagambie President, Lee Rowland explained that “community concerns about the current inactivity to undertake remedial measures to address the structural condition of the bridge are two-fold:

• The bridge in its current compromised structural state, following significant damage from the recent floods poses a significant safety risk to river users.

• Whilst there remains an exclusion zone either side of the bridge, this prevents river traffic from (legally) passing through this section of the river. As many Nagambie businesses, sporting organisations and visitors are reliant on accessibility of our waterways, this has especially resulted in a significant economic impact to the many who are directly and indirectly reliant on tourism in our region.”

Strathbogie Shire Council have previously formally notified the Minister of their concerns following an Engineer’s Report commissioned by the Council that describes the condition of the bridge as being ‘at risk of imminent collapse’. Following the Engineer’s Report, Council (in their role as Waterways Manager) have created an exclusion zone 100m either side of the bridge in order to ensure safety of all water users. Whilst the exclusion zone is marked with appropriate signage, it does not physically prevent vessels from passing underneath the structurally compromised bridge.

In addition to the Council assessment, Go Nagambie also recently commissioned the services of an independent engineering company to assess the state of the bridge, provide scope of works and cost estimates for three remediation options. The results of the survey were also provided to the Minister for consideration along with supporting information.

The Nagambie Community at large are aware that there has been a great deal of uncertainty with regard to ownership and ultimate responsibility for the bridge between Strathbogie Shire Council and

Department of Transport (formally Vic Roads). It is now over six months following the flood event, and neither party has been in a position to clarify this issue despite both parties seeking legal advice. This period of inactivity, whilst the structural integrity of the bridge is compromised, continues not only to place the public at risk but has a significant impact on our local economy.

Go Nagambie has requested that the Minister exercise her authority as Attorney General and Minister for Emergency Services and address this issue as a matter of urgency. A representative for the Minister has acknowledged receipt of the letter outlining community concerns and the matter has been referred to the Minister’s Office.

In the next issue of the Community Voice we will update you on Kirwan's Bridge which remains an intense community issue since the bridge was closed on Friday 14th October 2022 due to the 1.9 metre flood level at that site.

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor,

The Community voice published a letter to the Editor on May 32, 2023, in which the writer criticised the actions of Strathbogie Shire Council in relation to the celebration of Australia Day.

As a former Chief of Staff of a regional newspaper and as a journalist who specialised in local government, the letter caught my interest, so I followed it up to establish the basis for what opinion I might form for myself.

Despite the claims of the letter the Council has not abolished, or even tried to abolish Australia Day, nor would it be within its power to do so. What it decided was not to support Australia Day on January 26 but to recognise the contribution of local citizens at another time.

Local committees can continue to organise functions on January 26, if they so desire, admittedly without council funds. It is unclear to me whether those funds would be available during Volunteers Week. This could be clarified.

The question then becomes what is Australia Day all about and what is the significance of the date?

On January 26 1778 Capt. Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack at Sydney Cove in NSW marking the establishment of a British convict settlement, in other words, a prison.

While I am quite proud of the achievements of some