The decision to rehabilitate and strengthen the single-lane Froomes Road Bridge was met with applause by community members attending this week’s Mount Alexander Shire Council meeting.
“It was so good to see that a community group, the Froomes Road Action Group, (FRAG) can succeed,” said Ian Edwards member of FRAG.
“By determined, reasoned, but polite argument we mobilised widespread local support and persuaded a responsive council. It is a victory for Castlemaine community, heritage, local government, and of course the Powerful Owl.”
Councillor’s opted not to vote on the council officer’s recommendations to approve building a two-lane bridge, rather Cr Bill Maltby presented a motion to maintain the bridge for pedestrian-only access allowing necessary funds to be utilised elsewhere in the community. This motion did not win support.
Cr Matthew Driscoll presented an alternate motion for the rehabilitation and strengthening of the current one-lane bridge for vehicle use stating, “Unlike some councillors, I’m actually listening to people and it’s clear to my mind that they want to rehabilitate and strengthen the bridge.”
After some debate, the motion to maintain the current single-lane bridge, and to introduce a new footpath linking the bridge with the Botanical Gardens and Flora and Fauna Reserve, was passed unanimously. The motion also included a list of pedestrian and road safety measures including a request to the Department of Transport for a reduction in speed limit to 50 kilometres an hour on Froomes Road and Mary Street, the introduction of an additional curve delineation at the east end of Mary Street, and raised pavement treatment at Burnett and Froomes Road intersection, among others.
Tamasine Dale a member of FRAG told the Mail that the overwhelming response has been relief.
“Great leadership from Cr Driscoll who moved the motion to retain the single-lane bridge!” Tamasine said.
“Many in the community had lost faith in the democratic process of the council. I think that this decision will go a long way towards restoring some goodwill towards the council that the community was listened to.”