Candidates fight over who got in first on Warrandyte river crossing

THE major parties are both trying to claim credit for first pushing to get a second river crossing built over the river at Warrandyte.

Traffic builds up on the Warrandyte bridge as cars make their way onto the Warrandyte-Kangaroo Ground Rd.

WARRANDYTE Labor candidate Steve Kent says he has been advocating for Labor to commit to a second river crossing in the electorate, after the State Government has announced a traffic study will go ahead.

Liberal MP Ryan Smith recently committed to a plan to create a traffic management model with Emergency Management Victoria, Victoria Police, Melbourne Water and the CFA.

Mr Smith said to review would investigate widening the road, to ensure improved access for the CFA and fire brigades during fire season.

As part of the plan, disaster Planning boxes will be installed at the bridge, for emergency services to access electronic traffic signs, witches hats and safety equipment.

Mr Smith said VicRoads would investigate a long-term solution and he hopes to make the traffic plan a reality ”before the fire season kicks off”.

But Mr Kent said Labor were first to commit to building a second river crossing in Warrandyte.

He said there had been talk of a second bridge and a wider bridge for years and Mr Smith had “had four years to do something and has done nothing”.

“He has come out and said this five minutes before the election date and he has jumped on it,” Mr Kent said.

Opposition spokesman for roads Luke Donnellan joined Mr Kent on a visit to Warrandyte “several months ago” to investigate a plan.

“Just putting another bridge across is not going to solve the problem. There’s still the roads leading in and out, we need to have a good look at traffic management,” Mr Kent said.

“It’s about sitting down with all the right people and communicating with the community.”

“I’m not a structural engineer.

“There needs to be a consultation process.”

Mr Smith said the bridge has been a serious issue since 2006.

“The Warrandyte Community Association and I had been having conversations about it,” he said.

“Various solutions have been put forward and there has been no real serious commitment.

“After Black Saturday and the Warrandyte fires in February, it’s been heard a lot more.”

He said he was reluctant to take Mr Kent seriously as he did not live in the Warrandyte area.

“Labor has shown little interest in Warrandyte,” he said.

“It’s disingenuous to come in at the eleventh hour and claim it was a Labor policy.

“If I’m up against a local I’ll show them the benefit of the doubt.”