By Kyra Gillespie
The closure of Iona’s historic Little Road Bridge has sparked outrage from residents who say the beloved landmark is integral to the township.
The decision made at Cardinia Shire’s May 21 meeting to close the bridge to motor vehicles came after a long history of jostling between the council and residents.
Council said the resolution to restrict the old-style timber deck bridge to pedestrian and cyclist use only would “extend the life of the heritage bridge by at least 10-20 years.”
The bridge was becoming too costly to maintain, with council claiming spending of “several thousand” has been poured in the heritage structure in recent years.
The council estimates the cost to replace the bridge would come well in excess of $1.4 million.
A traffic count conducted in October 2017 indicated that an average of 123 vehicles per day use the Little Road bridge, which has a seven tonne load limit.
Council say the surrounding road network and bridges have the capacity to support the closure of the bridge, suggesting motorists use Main Drain Road between Little Road and Putt Road instead.
To counter the effects of the traffic diversion, council say the financial cost of resheeting Main Drain Road will be incorporated within the 2018-’19 unsealed road program.
Long-time locals say the bridge is an important part of daily life, and claim the town will suffer financially without the important link way.
The decision has been labelled “catastrophic” and a “slap in the face” by exasperated ratepayers online.
“The Cardinia Shire Council are going to close our bridge and in a conciliatory gesture offer us 1km of sheeted road in the opposite direction to Bunyip. Really?” Janet Tehennepe wrote.
“Many thanks to our councillors for bringing forward this catastrophic decision.”
“As a resident, I am also disappointed at both the decision and our councillors. I consider the proposal a “slap in the face,” Joe Interlandi said.
“It’s not just a bridge, it’s a landmark that we all love,” another wrote.
Port Ward Councillor Graeme Moore acknowledged the decision was an “emotional one” for many.
“We understand this topic is an emotional one and that many want to keep the bridge open,” he said.
“Council are often criticised for not supporting heritage structures and this is a way to do that.”
