'Unsafe' bridge to go: Heritage group OKs demolition

ROWERS and kayakers can look forward to paddling a longer stretch of the Merri River after the Heritage Council of Victoria granted a permit to demolish most of Dennington's decaying rail bridge. Work is due to start on dismantling much of the 110-year-old structure by July after its custodian, VicTrack, successfully appealed against an earlier refusal to authorise the demolition. River users were banned from going near the bridge in August over concerns about falling debris. VicTrack argued it could cost up to $5 million to restore it. A statement issued by the Heritage Council yesterday said the appeals committee had ruled that securing the bridge "to ensure safety by means other than demolition would cause undue financial hardship" to VicTrack."While recognising the cultural heritage significance of the bridge, the committee considers the removal of most river piers as the only way for safe recreational use of the river to continue," the statement said."The permit allows for the removal of piers in the river except for one pier on either side which will be retained as rare examples of stay piles," the council said. The remaining parts of the bridge, on land, must be stabilised within six months of demolition work being completed.VicTrack has to provide a permanent record of the bridge to Heritage Victoria when the works are finished. A viewing deck and illustrations of the removed section must also be installed on site within a year of the partial demolition.The committee considered all submissions, the Heritage Council said. VicTrack heritage panel chair John Anderson said the authority's first priority was the safety of the community. "VicTrack welcomes the decision as a balanced and commonsense solution to ensure the bridge is made safe for the community and river users," Mr Anderson said.Warrnambool Rowing Club coach Val Bertrand said while river users had been able to use the river downstream of the rail bridge, removing it would open up opportunities to row all the way to the weir off Bromfield Street. "At the moment, it's just dangerous," she said. "It's pretty much an eyesore the way it is." Warrnambool Mayor Michael Neoh said the decision was a good compromise. He called on VicTrack to install floodlights at either end of the bridge to illuminate the remaining sections as a feature at Warrnambool's western gateway. Mr Anderson said VicTrack would liaise with Heritage Victoria and the city council to ensure the preserved sections remained a Dennington feature.