Progress on the restoration of the Snowy Rail Bridge has been continuing, with the recent installation of 12 sections of the VFTY-wagon-inspired entry feature.
Carried out by Findley’s Engineering, the entry feature has been designed to reflect the size of the 20 metre long VFTY railway wagon and its 12 upright stanchions.
This was the largest wagon on the Orbost Railway Line and was painted a striking red colour.
The historic signal tower has also been given a revamp by Findley’s Engineering and was recently erected on the embankment adjacent to the entry of the Snowy Rail Bridge after a journey through Orbost’s main street.
SOURCING FUNDS
The Orbost and district community has been urged to ‘never give up’ despite missing out on State Government funding to finish the restoration of the historic railway trestle bridge across the Snowy River floodplains.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said it was disappointing that the project had not been successful in its application for $2.7 million under the Regional Tourism Investment Fund, but he remained committed to sourcing other grant opportunities.
“It’s important that we never give up and find other ways to finish the project because the community has done such an amazing job to get the project this far,” Mr Chester said.
“In November 2020, the community secured $3.5 million from the State Government, and in February 2022, we picked up another $1.05 million from the previous Federal Government. So, both levels of government have recognised the value of the work in the past, and we just need to find another way forward.
“Obviously, the full social and economic benefits of this project will only be delivered when we complete the missing section in the middle, and the community wants to see the project finished.”
Mr Chester said he had been meeting with senior Coalition figures in Canberra over the past four weeks to seek support for the project if the State Government failed to deliver.
“I have been working on a contingency plan, and hopefully, we will have some positive news ahead of the Federal election, which is due to be held by May 17, at the latest,” Mr Chester said.
“One way or another, we need to get the project completed because it will encourage people to stop and take a break and explore everything else our region has to offer.
“On a brighter note, the team from Findley’s Engineering in Orbost have been hard at work, and the railway wagon-inspired entry feature has been installed along with the signal tower. It means we’re not far away from public access to stage one of the pedestrian bridge, which is a tremendous achievement by everyone involved over the past seven years.”
