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Parks Victoria failed again to accurately report on rebuild of Thurra River Bridge two years after fire

Parks Victoria has yet again failed to provide accurate information on the rebuild of the Thurra River Bridge.

By news@gippsland - 7th December 2021 - Back to News

Parks Victoria has yet again failed to provide accurate information on the rebuild of the Thurra River Bridge two years after the fire. Last month it said the job was ready to go to tender - when it was not.

Parks Victoria has yet again failed to provide accurate information on the rebuild of the Thurra River Bridge two years after the fire which devastated many communities across eastern Victoria

Not ready to go out, and still not out

Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, said the lack of knowledge and incorrect information was an embarrassment. "First of all, the Parks CEO referred twice to the bridge being to an island, where it is simply a bridge over the river, but that was not the worst of it. When being questioned on why it had taken almost two years for the tender to go out, the response was "I can assure you that it is ready to go out".

"Pressed for a specific date, the response was "I will have to take that on notice." Well here we are a month later and the recently received response shows the tender was not ready to go out at all - and is still not out," said Mr Bull.

Four years after the fire

The response says: "Parks Victoria will finalise the detailed design for approval by the forensic engineer, in early December 2021, following which Parks Victoria and DELWP will progress the tender".

"In other words, it was not ready to go out at all, it still needed finalising and here we are a month later, and it is still not out. At this rate these fools will be lucky to get it built before the next fire." Mr Bull said it also beggared belief the bridge would not be built until the end of 2023 - that is almost four years after the fire."

Just no respect from this city

Mr Bull also said, "They say it is complex, but a good bridge was built there over 30 years ago, and it never took four years. You just can't tell me they would not have had this done long ago if it was in Melbourne. Access to the Thurra River Campground and Point Hicks is important for the Cann River economy and four years, in anyone's language, is just not good enough."

"They tell us repeatedly it is a 'priority project', but they take us for fools. It does not take four years to build a priority bridge. A few years ago, the Labor Roads Minister referred to East Gippslanders as 'banjo playing dingbats'. There is just no respect from this city centric government." Mr Bull said.

Pictures from Tim Bull MP website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  The new Latrobe Valley PTV bus timetable has disrupted access to essential services, prompting Nationals’ Melina Bath to request reinstating the previous schedule to better serve commuters, students, and vulnerable residents.
• Danny O'Brien visits Gippsland schools honouring Anzac Legacy by planting 100 lone pines across Victoria
  Gippsland schools joined the "100 Lone Pines Project," with Danny O’Brien delivering seedlings, connecting students to Gallipoli history and honoring the Anzac legacy through planting descendant pines across Victoria.
• Sale’s burnt police station must be cleared and redeveloped after 11 years of government inaction, says Danny O’Brien
  Nationals MP Danny O’Brien urges Allan Labor Government to clear and redevelop Sale’s old police station site after 11 years of inaction, following its recent deliberate burning.
• Tim Bull announces retirement ahead of November state election after 16 years in Parliament and ministerial service
  East Gippsland MP announces retirement from November State Election after 16 years in Parliament, reflecting on service, gratitude to staff, colleagues, community, and commitment to continuing representation until stepping down.
• Danny O'Brien says Gippsland roads among state's most dangerous after years of neglect under Allan Labor government
  Danny O'Brien says new AusRAP data shows many Gippsland roads are unsafe after years of Labor neglect, criticising the government for lowering speed limits instead of properly fixing deteriorating roads.
• Latrobe City Council approves funding for three major events, boosting tourism and generating over $6.5M economic impact
  Latrobe City Council will fund three major events, including ProMX, Football Victoria Championships, and Junior International Tennis, generating over $6.5 million economic impact and boosting local tourism and community engagement.
• Sarsfield Fire Brigade launches fundraiser to support Yarck bushfire recovery efforts on 10 February to 10 March 2026
  The Sarsfield Rural Fire Brigade has launched a fundraiser supporting Yarck bushfire recovery, collecting fencing materials, tools, and donations to help residents rebuild and protect livestock after January’s fires.
• Southern Rural Water upgrades over meters across Gippsland to improve accuracy and fair water management
  Southern Rural Water is replacing 1,000+ outdated meters across southern Victoria by 2026, boosting accuracy, compliance, and fair water management under national standards - with no cost to customers.
• West Gippsland CMA celebrates 25 years of sustainable irrigation, transforming Gippsland farms, saving water and protecting local waterways
  West Gippsland CMA's Sustainable Irrigation Program celebrates 25 years, with 1,200 projects saving 47 gigalitres annually, enhancing farm productivity, protecting waterways, and expanding beyond the Macalister Irrigation District.
• Martin Cameron questions Labor government for denying regional crime crisis and the ongoing failures of 'Bail Laws'
  The Nationals' Martin Cameron has accused the Allan Labor government of failing Victorians with weak bail laws, after repeat offenders continue to walk free and regional crime remains out of control.
• Labor under fire as Treasurer dodges questions on cuts to vital frontline emergency services jobs
  Labor faces backlash over emergency services job cuts, with Treasurer Jaclyn Symes denying losses despite reports of hundreds axed. Nationals accuse Labor of financial mismanagement, risking regional safety and environmental protection.