A step forward to having the historic Orbost Railway Bridge restored was taken on Friday, September 7, when Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing, presented a petition to parliament.

The electronic petition requests that the Legislative Council call on the government to allocate money for the restoration of this historic railway bridge at Orbost so it can be integrated into the East Gippsland Rail Trail and used for cycling and walking and also for promotions to assist the visitor economy.

Ms Shing came to inspect the bridge in March this year and gave her support for the restoration project.

“The present government has a commitment to regional Victoria and gives support for community efforts to protect heritage values and to enhance visitor experiences,” she said.

“Restoration of the bridge and integration into the Rail Trail would enhance local pride and interest in this district. There is a tremendous sense of place with this bridge because it is so highly visible and emblematic of all visits to this region.”

Ms Shing said the petition was well received and felt there was a lot of support for the idea of restoring the bridge to a usable condition.

The Save the Snowy Rail Bridge group, which is based in Orbost, is planning to engage with all candidates in the upcoming Victorian elections and to ask for their support for this important project for Orbost.