Pupils from the nearby Woodford Primary School are unable to use the bridge to get to school.

Principal Daniel Watson said having no access from the north side was a hassle.

“It’s only been there for a year, but it’s amazing what you miss when it’s gone,” he said.

Mr Watson said the school also used the bridge to get across to open space on the other side, where students practised cross country running.

The bridge was criticised by councillor Peter Hulin in August, who said it should have been built higher and wider with handrails. 

A Warrnambool City Council spokesman said the council was assessing all costs associated with management and recovery from the September floods and would shortly be seeking support for rectification works through the state and federal governments.