Council’s offer a bridge too far

A Queenwood resident is refusing to sign over her land to the Donnybrook-Balingup Shire Council which is planning to upgrade a bridge it says is in poor condition.

Sue Learmonth claims the bridge is structurally sound and wants the “historic” passage protected.

The council approved a $1.5 million project to upgrade the one lane timber bridge at Trevena Road, north of Donnybrook, and plans to start work in November.

However, the council may be forced to take legal action against Mrs Learmonth who is refusing to give up 2000sq m of her land for the project.

Mrs Learmonth revealed to theSouth Western Times the council offered her $6000 for the parcel of land, which she says is an “absolute token”.

“It’s sheer carnage what they’re prepared to do,” she said.

“The compensation is very insulting, but it’s not about the money,” she said.

The Queenwood resident of more than 22 years said the proposal would negatively affect the heritage and environmental value of the area.

Shire chief executive officer Benjamin Rose said detailed inspection reports rated the bridge as poor and it was at high risk of having load limits imposed at future inspections.

“If load limits are applied this has the potential to significantly impact on how land owners in the area undertake their farming activities,” he said.

Mrs Learmonth said the council’s reasoning did not make sense as no freight passed over the bridge and she would continue to lobby “hard”.