At Lake Mulwala with the existing Yarrawonga Mulwala Traffic Bridge in the background were Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum, Federal Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt, John Lawless, candidate for Nicholls in this year’s federal election, Sam Birrell, Robert Purtle OAM and Federal Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Bridget McKenzie.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Shoring up funding for the new Yarrawonga Mulwala Traffic Bridge and bank erosion below the Yarrawonga Weir were issues put to a Federal Government entourage on Lake Mulwala’s foreshore last Thursday.
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Several locals actively involved in these issues met with Federal Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt, Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum, Federal Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Bridget McKenzie, and candidate for Nicholls in this year’s federal election, Sam Birrell.
“We wanted to remind everyone about the statement made by (former Deputy Prime Minister) Michael McCormack that the Federal Government would contribute 40 per cent of the funding for the new bridge,” Robert Purtle OAM told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
In a visit to Yarrawonga Mulwala in November 2019 Mr McCormack said he would welcome a 40-30-30 funding scenario between the federal government and both state governments, similar to the new Echuca Moama crossing.
On December 23, 2021 the Transport for NSW said it would advise both the NSW and Victorian Governments of the outcome of its final consultation with the Yarrawonga Mulwala community where 74% stated their preference for the Green Route and was to seek formal endorsement, which is considered to be a mere formality.
At the time, NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said: “The Green Route will now be confirmed with the NSW and Victorian Governments after community consultation to better understand the community’s preference.”
Held in the Yarrawonga Mulwala Visitor Information Centre, last Thursday’s meeting lasted half-an-hour with most of the talk centred around new bridge funding.
Yarrawonga farmer Evan Ryan (second from left) with Federal Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt, Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum, Federal Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Bridget McKenzie, and, in front, candidate for Nicholls in this year’s federal election, Sam Birrell, with Lake Mulwala and the weir bridge in the background.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
At the meeting on January 19, facilitated by Federal Member for Farrer and Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley, were strong advocates for the new bridge’s Green Route funding, Mr Purtle and John Lawless, irrigation farmers Evan Ryan, Malcolm Browning and Leo Kelly, businessman Andrew McPherson and Yarrawonga Mulwala Visitor Information Centre Manager Noel Wright.
Mr Purtle and Mr Lawless welcomed the opportunity to meet with all concerned. “It was great to have a conversation with these people who are willing to listen,” Mr Purtle said.
“We are keen to pursue whatever government funding we can for the new bridge as soon as possible.”
Yarrawonga irrigation farmer Evan Ryan said the more important issue of the 30-minute meeting related to the need for a new bridge.
“John Lawless and ‘Possum’ Purtle did an excellent job concerning the bridge. The bridge needs to be replaced – it needs to be replaced urgently,” Mr Ryan said.
“My talk related to the accelerated bank erosion down below the Yarrawonga Weir. There are major issues in communication with the Murray Darling Basin to recognise the issue. Bank erosion is destroying our river.”
Mr Ryan said he was happy to see the Federal Government representatives in Yarrawonga to hear about local issues.
“They sounded sincere in listening to us and I’m glad they came to hear our concerns,” he said.
