Jeff Stainsby on the Murchison bridge. He has to walk across the bridge or else go without food and medicine.
Photo by
Max Stainkamph
Murchison residents have breathed a sigh of relief as the Goulburn River bridge has opened to light traffic, but the extent of damage from flooding this week is yet to be determined.
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Authorities were initially worried the bridge might have moved from its foundations and would be out of action for months, but the incident control centre opened the bridge at the blistered and damaged High Rd to light vehicles on Saturday, October 22.
Jeff Stainsby watched the water roar through his home at the Murchison East caravan park last week.
Caravans were washed through the park and allegedly up trees, but even when the water went down, he and a dozen other permanent residents at the park were completely cut off from the outside world.
As water surged through the bend at Murchison, the bridge connecting the town of 1000 people to not just the Goulburn Valley Hwy but also the pub, train station and caravan park at Murchison East was flooded.
The bridge opening on Saturday was a relief to Mr Stainsby and his neighbours, who are now able to cross the bridge to walk into town to collect medicine and food.
Murchison bridge on Thursday, October 20.
However, he’s now worried they may be cut off from the rest of the region. Trains are out of action following damage to the track following flooding, and buses are still unable to cross into Murchison East.
While he can now walk into Murchison, Mr Stainsby on Thursday was concerned they would be stuck in Murchison East.
“We don’t mean to whinge but we can’t get out to do shopping. There’s no buses and no trains so we can’t get to Mooroopna and do shopping,” he said.
“We need something or someone to come through the caravan park and ask if people need anything.”
A spokesperson for the incident control centre said there appeared to be no structural damage, but “a further assessment is required before the bridge can reopen to heavy vehicles”.
Murchison Supa Valu Centre owner Derek Pearson said the bridge was crucial not just to link residents with the outside world but also for business coming to town and through town.
For now, trucks need to head through Nagambie and wind their way up to cross the Goulburn or drive to Shepparton and cross at the causeway and through Tatura.
“That bridge brings so much business from Melbourne and for locals,” Mr Pearson said.
