Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison has revealed Bega Valley Shire Council did not originally want anything that replicated the heritage and feel of the Cuttagee Bridge when building a new one.
Councillors will vote later today on which of the three concrete structure designs they will move ahead with.
A loud community campaign has been conducted for several years now calling for a like for like timber single lane replacement.
The State Government has signed a funding deed for the project with $15-million provided for the project.
A report to councillors shows the total cost has now blown out around double that figure no matter which option is selected.
“I think the councillors are going to have to answer to the community on the decision they make,” Minister Aitchison said.
“Originally I think there was a plan that they were going to go with only two options and they weren’t going to go with something that had that heritage look and feel of the much loved timber bridge that is still there to this day,” she said.
“This is the challenge.”
The Minister has almost lost her patience with delays on building a replacement for the ageing fully timber bridge.
“We are really concerned that the bridge needs to be replaced. We have been lucky in one sense in the last few years because of the wet weather. We haven’t had the horrific bushfires like back in 2019/2020,” she said.
“I think council really needs to get on with this work now. To do it properly and do it in alignment with the deed.”
When it comes to more funding due to increasing costs the State Government won’t be providing any more cash for the project.
“Council really has to take responsibility for that they have not helped this situation with the time that’s proceeded. We really need to get this work done,” Minister Aitchision said.
“They’ve already lost one opportunity because it didn’t work out.”
