Tara Murray
Brimbank council is seeking to share the cost of maintaining a bridge connecting the municipality and Moonee Valley.
As reported by Star Weekly earlier this year, there was confusion over who would take on maintenance of a bridge to be built in the River Valley estate in Sunshine North, connecting to Avondale Heights.
The bridge is meant to be completed before the completion of stage seven of the estate, which is currently under way.
In recent months, existing and new residents have expressed their frustrations about the lack of action on the bridge.
Estate developer YourLand will build the bridge, but said construction had stalled because Brimbank council, Moonee Valley council and Parks Victoria are not “willing to assume ownership”.
In 2019, planning permits were submitted to both councils for the bridge because it falls in both municipalities.
Parks Victoria, in a letter to resident Trevor Gielnik, has indicated it would not take responsibility for the bridge once it was built.
At last week’s council meeting, Brimbank council agreed to write to Moonee Valley council to request they enter into a Memorandum of Understanding to share the ongoing ownership and maintenance responsibilities of the future pedestrian bridge across the Maribyrnong River from Sunshine North to Avondale Heights.
Brimbank council’s engineers have estimated that annual maintenance costs for the entire bridge would be between $24,000 and $40,000 based on figures provided in a report produced.
The council said in seeking an agreement from Moonee Valley, it is proposed that officers collectively review the detailed design of the bridge to simplify the structure to reduce the annual ongoing maintenance costs on each council.
Cr Trung Luu said he hoped that the two councils would come to an agreement soon and residents from both municipalities would benefit.
“I strongly hold the view that this will enhance our wellbeing and inclusiveness of residents on both sides of the Maribyrnong River.
“I fully support the recommendation and have great confidence the MOU will transpire with agreeable terms for both.”
