A ROADS and Maritime Services proposal to leave a small section of Windsor Bridge as a ‘viewing platform’ was met with disdain by Hawkesbury councillors.
The RMS proposal is to leave a small section on the Windsor side of the bridge jutting out as a viewing platform, after the Windsor Bridge Replacement Project is complete.
The RMS proposed to hand maintenance of the viewing platform to Council, with staff estimating it would cost $5000 per year to maintain.
At the August 29 meeting, councillors debated the proposal, with many taking a dim view of the request.
Independent councillor John Ross immediately moved a motion, dismissing the proposal and repeating Council’s stance of opposing the replacement project.
Deputy Mayor Barry Calvert said it was a ridiculous idea, however, said Council should vote on the proposal, rather than simply ignore it.
The debate then turned to whether the project would go ahead, with discussion around the meaning of the word ‘proceeding’.
At the conclusion of the debate, councillors voted to write to the RMS and advise them Council did not support the replacement project, and also to ask the RMS to offer the proposal again ‘prior to final sign off of Option 1 [the replacement project] by the relevant agencies’.
The motion passed 8-4.
A spokesperson from the RMS told The Gazette a viewing platform would provide a safe and accessible vantage point from which to view the river.
“Roads and Maritime Services will continue to work with Hawkesbury City Council, the community and stakeholders as the project progresses,” the spokesperson said.
