Progress on the bridge has stalled in the four years since the Andrews Labor government won the 2014 election and overturned the Coalition’s support for the green route in favour of the grey route alongside the existing traffic bridge over Lake Mulwala.

The green route is located to the west near the weir bridge which the Murray Darling Basin Authority confirmed last month was definitely closing in 2020 despite a replacement bridge being downgraded in priority by the Victorian and NSW roads authorities.

The green route has the backing of Nationals’ Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy.

But Green Route Action Group spokesman John Lawless said it wanted to see if election rival and former Nationals member Ms Atkins was also on board.

“It’s pretty important we get a clear picture on where she stands on an issue where 77 per cent of people in a recent plebiscite in Yarrawonga voted in favour of the green route,” Mr Lawless said.

“If she gets elected we need to know whether she is on our side.

“We would be more than happy to meet her on site and take her through the whole story and why the green route is so important to the long-term future of Yarrawonga and Mulwala.”

Ms Atkins and her campaign manager Cam Klose were both contacted for comment on the invitation from the green route supporters.

The independent candidate spent Saturday campaigning in Yarrawonga with members of her campaign team including Denis Ginnivan.

Mr Klose and Mr Ginnivan were key players in Indi MP Cathy McGowan’s success at the 2013 and 2016 federal elections.

They are also backing Indigo Shire mayor and former Greens member Jenny O’Connor in the seat of Benambra against Liberal incumbent Bill Tilley.