Bridge Update

Hi Newlanders.

I'm so glad to see interest in the De Chene bridge as I'm the person who put up the dropbox link initially ... and now there's going to be even more interest! Great!

First, I'd like to reassure everyone that, as far as I can see, the Merri Trail is staying fully off road and a fully shared trail for pedestrians (2 to 4 legged beings) and people on bicycles (1 to 3 wheels, no noisy motors and less than 30 km/hour) ... ok, ok strollers and kids on scooters and all wheely things welcomed too.

This is indeed the idea behind the Merri Trail and if that was to change, it is wonderful to know people would get up in arms about it, but there are no changes planned to that concept.

I probably need to explain a bit better how I got those documents, posted them on the blog and what is happening with the bridge. The reason I obtained these documents and posted them is because I am acting as a Friends of Merri Creek and a MECCARG person in the consultative process between Council and stakeholders. I happen to live close by on Elizabeth St, so I also use the bridge and the trail very often indeed. This consultative process attempts to gather input from a range of people and interest groups. Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC) is always part of these processes for things on the creek and, I believe but could check if needed that it was the case this time, a representative from Bicycle Victoria when the Merri Trail is involved. The Friends usually try to find someone local to the project when possible, but of course it depends who can go to these meetings and yes, it is all voluntary.

The council also put various notices/information boards and sometimes do letter drops like what they did for the De Chene Reserve plans for the playground, gym equipment and landscaping. I do not know if they will do a letter drop this time and I let them know that I think it would be a good idea as clearly the new bridge is a big deal for the nearby residents. This is why I put a dropbox link on the blog of the draft plans because I think the more people are informed and involved the better. Some of the closest residents have also contacted the council directly and I let them know whatever I find out. If people would like to be added to that informal email list, please let me know and if you do want to talk to council about it, do so too.

In a nutshell I love it when people have more questions and input, the bridge, like many others on the creek needs to be rebuild higher to be above the 1 in 100 years flood line. New regulations and so on and also one of the actions identified in the Merri Trail Review carried out a few years ago. A bit more info on this review at  http://www.mcmc.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=288:mces-43&catid=32:mces&Itemid=341 and I have a copy somewhere of the whole document I think or could get one. You may have seen the new bridges on the Merri, the latest below Coburg Lake. This is all part of the same process. 'Our' new bridge will have similar looks and materials.

Last year we had a meeting where the engineers proposed 3 options where the bridge would cross the Merri and the many people there (including MCMC, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria, DEPI ...) discussed the pros and cons. The draft plans take this in to account and all the regulations involved. Apparently they have considered the least visual impact, not sure how that is done. No trees will have to be cut either and some landscaping work has been flagged too. I know nothing yet about this landscaping but hope that there will be opportunity for having some input. I have mentioned that people have commented to me about the lovely sounds of the creek at that spot with all the rocks and access to this experience is important. Maintaining good access to the quarry site where we do the Murnong Cook Up every November is also important; lots of people use that spot too. Maintaining good access during construction will also need to be ensured but yes there will be some disruptions with such a big construction project. As far as I can figure too, compared to other bridges on the Merri, there are more people with direct views on that bridge; other sites have different topographies and less close neighbours.

And yes, it will be a tall and long bridge. It will change things and views including when on the bridge. It will sure make the crossing flatter on a bicycle too and no more bridge under water that cannot be crossed - that's the idea. The report mentions artwork on metal panels at the entrance. My hope is that there is community input in that. We'll see.

Well, maybe I should have written all this when I first posted the dropbox link, but hey, conversations are a good thing in a community.

Again, feel free to contact me about this: pascalelocal@hotmail.com