FORMER Moira Shire mayor Peter Mansfield has accused the Labor government of "betraying" Yarrawonga residents in its preference for the replacement bridge across Lake Mulwala.
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Cr Mansfield, a Labor Party member, moved two motions at this week's Moira Council meeting including a letter being sent to Premier Daniel Andrews expressing disappointment over the "process and announcement" of the preferred bridge route.
Moira Shire has been a long-time supporter of the green route, but was shocked to learn the state government backed the grey option.
Both motions were passed unanimously.
"We've got a responsibility to the community to fight this all the way to the very end," Cr Mansfield said.
"We've definitely been betrayed.
"We've been led to believe for the last 12 months it was going to be the green route, but there has been a change of heart somewhere."
Moira staff will also prepare a submission to planning minister Richard Wynne "championing" the green option.
Mayor Gary Cleveland said council remained upset no government representative alerted them to its decision or bothered to visit Yarrawonga for a matter of such high significance.
"The council is disappointed that while the Premier was in Milawa last week announcing his government's commitment to listen to rural and regional communities his roads minister was announcing a bridge decision which ignores overwhelming community support for the green route," Cr Cleveland said.
"The roads minister has declined every reasonable request to meet with Moira Shire to listen to its views and it’s hard to reconcile this with the Premier's regional statement."
Meanwhile, Victorian roads minister Luke Donnellan has responded to criticisms by Albury MP Greg Aplin about the choice of route and no funding.
"VicRoads is currently preparing documentation for the planning minister to finalise planning approvals, which could include a future environmental effects statement," a spokesperson said.
"Funding for the bridge upgrade cannot be determined until after the planning and final design process has occurred, which the member for Albury should be fully aware of."
We've definitely been betrayed
- Cr Peter Mansfield
