The Murray Darling Basin Authority has confirmed the original decision made to close the weir bridge nearly two decades ago stands irrespective of a new bridge no longer being a major priority.

The weir bridge is a secondary crossing for the two towns.

“The MDBA made the decision to close the bridge to vehicles to improve the safety of weir operators,” a MDBA spokesperson said.

“Closure will also reduce wear on the weir structure and limit the need for major investment to maintain the structure.

“It is planned that pedestrian and cycle access will be maintained.

“VicRoads and NSW RMS are currently consulting with the community about a replacement bridge.

“The MDBA continue to work with these two agencies in planning for the weir closure and subsequent impacts to traffic flow.”

Goulburn Murray Water operates Lake Mulwala on behalf of the MDBA and confirmed it was working to a 2020 closure of the weir bridge.

“There has been a long-standing understanding that road traffic at the weir will cease in 2020,” GMW customer operations general manager Scott Barber said.

Yarrawonga-Mulwala strategic planning group spokesman Doug Evans said the bridge priority downgrade could easily be changed at the highest levels of government.

“It will be a political question and it all depends on what happens at the next election,” he said.

“The decision will be made on need and not someone in the back office.”