He had told councillors why the town group opposed the council’s preferred route of the $90 million Yarrawonga-Mulwala replacement bridge.

Mr Purtle said his 10-minute address had been a waste of time after failing to spark one question from Mayor Fred Longmire or any councillor.

“Blind Freddy can see they have no interest in listening to an alternate viewpoint,” Mr Purtle said.

“To not even be asked one question was pretty rude, I thought.

“They refuse to accept the wishes of the majority and will have a lot of explaining to do to future generations if the bridge goes where they want.”

The association and Moira Council support the “green” route near the weir road bridge which is due to be closed by 2020.

The council later in the day re-affirmed support for the “grey” route next to the main road bridge — a route linking the two towns’ main streets.

Cr Longmire said the council had no intention of re-visiting the issue.

Mr Purtle said a precedent on bridge locations already existed with the Federation Bridge situated on Corowa’s edge.

“Just imagine if all the transports were coming down Sanger Street to get to Victoria,” he said.

“It would be chaos.

“There are more and more trucks coming through Mulwala every day carrying grain to Victorian bunkers.

“The explosives factory is transporting toxic liquids over the bridge and up the main street which could be an environmentally dangerous situation.

“It is important to accept we are not just two towns, but one community.”

The two state road agencies will name the route mid-year.

VicRoads has ruled out retaining the old bridge.