By VANESSA VALENZUELA
MEMBERS of a Sunshine community group have rejected the latest designs for a new pedestrian bridge across Harvester Rd, with fears the Regional Rail Link Authority (RRLA) will create a “second-rate structure” in Brimbank.
The heritage-listed HV McKay Footbridge, which runs across the Sunshine railway lines, will be destroyed later this year to make way for a new pedestrian bridge as part of Regional Rail Link construction works.
The RRLA released preliminary designs for the new HV McKay Footbridge last month, raising concerns about the colour, size and quality of the bridge.
Friends of the HV McKay Memorial Gardens president Catherine McDonald said she was disappointed with the lack of research undertaken by the bridge designers, warning the community would not accept a generic piece of infrastructure.
“The community is actually losing something very valuable, losing a part of its history. Sunshine deserves good quality infrastructure in recognition of the sacrifice,” Ms McDonald said.
“We have been doing all the suggestions and work for them. In compensation for that, we expect a first class piece of infrastructure in return.”
Ms McDonald said she was concerned the new design did not reflect the surrounding heritage landscape and called for changes to the proposal.
“The adjustments they’ve made to their previous designs appear to be primarily driven by cost considerations,” she said.
“We expect something that’s been designed for that site and responds to the heritage environment.”
RRLA spokesperson Tim Holmes said the authority had been working closely with interested community groups to ensure the history of the area was reflected in the new bridge design.
“This is an on-going process, so we have had continuous conversations with the Friends of the McKay gardens, and the Sunshine Historical Society,” he said.
“I know they are very passionate about the bridge and that it is important to them. We recognise that importance, and that’s why we’re trying to incorporate their feedback.”
He said the RRLA had made a number of changes to the proposal but admitted the bridge would have to meet a number of design constraints.
“There are a lot of different constraints around what can and can’t be done, but we’re trying to work as close to we can with interested community groups,” he said.
