Mother’s Bridge is being knocked down, but will it be rebuilt? Photo: Rob Nesbitt/Building Wagga.
Wagga politicians have expressed concerns at suggestions that Inland Rail may not replace the footbridge over Wagga Wagga Station after it knocks it down.
As part of works to construct a controversial Melbourne to Brisbane inland rail route through central Wagga, the federal government entity will demolish the structure known as “Mother’s Bridge” to allow double stacked freight trains to pass through.
Inland Rail had previously pledged to replace the bridge, but Wagga Council said it could renege on its agreement.
In a statement, the council said it was unclear who owned the bridge – something the parties were trying to determine.
“If it is found that the bridge is not owned by council, Inland Rail has recently indicated that it might seek to amend the project consent to remove the requirement to replace the bridge,” the council said.
However, in a statement to Region, an Inland Rail spokesperson said: “Inland Rail is committed to building Mother’s Footbridge as part of the Albury to Illabo section of the project.”
Nevertheless, councillor Richard Foley accused the government entity of trying to “steal” the bridge that has stood for almost a century (since 1936).
“Mother’s Bridge has been our vital link, a piece of Wagga’s history that our own community helped fund,” he said.
“Now, the Inland Rail project is using a shady technicality to try and weasel out of its responsibility to replace it.”
Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr, Member for Albury Justin Clancy, Regional Disability Advocacy Service’s Ben Foley, Shane Moreland and Ellie Freemantle previously pushed for an elevator to Mother’s Bridge. It now looks as if there’ll be no bridge at all. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
He said Inland Rail knew it had to replace the bridge.
“It was a condition of their approval. Now that they’re here, they’re looking for any excuse to back out. They’re exploiting a historical loophole. Because ownership records from the 1930s are unclear, they’re threatening to leave us with nothing. This is a betrayal of their commitment to our community,” he said.
Chris Roche of the Wagga Ratepayers’ Association said: “The Mother’s Bridge rebuild was a part of the Inland Rail approval. If they try to renege, then cancel the whole approval. The issue here is many people use the Mother’s Bridge to get from Railway Street to Baylis Street, including schoolchildren.”
At the request of Inland Rail, council said it had reluctantly agreed on an informal basis that council would accept ownership of the bridge, if that was the only way to ensure it would be replaced.
“This will come at a cost to council as it will be required to maintain the bridge as one of the city’s assets, which means further disadvantage for Wagga Wagga’s ratepayers,” the council said.
Wagga MP Joe McGirr has also expressed his concern.
“I have written to the Minister for Planning, Paul Scully, asking him to reject any attempt by Inland Rail to avoid its responsibility to rebuild Mother’s Bridge,” he said.
“It is completely unacceptable for Inland Rail to use the question of the bridge’s ownership to abandon its responsibility to the Wagga Wagga community.
“The construction of Inland Rail will bring great disruption to the city, and it is only fair that they clean up after themselves – and that definitely includes replacing any infrastructure they destroy.
“I applaud Wagga City Council for taking steps to ensure the bridge will be replaced and maintained but this burden should not fall on the shoulders of ratepayers.”
Region understands that once Inland Rail is completed, the organisation will disband and responsibility for maintaining any rebuilt assets will fall on the original owner – meaning Wagga Council will need to maintain Mother’s Bridge.
Original Article published by Oliver Jacques on Region Riverina.
