New Gentle Annie Bridge prevents CFA tanker access

When the RCoW replaces Gentle Annie Bridge in the new year, the Whitfield CFA will lose a major water access point on the King River.

During the December bushfires, a DSE quick-fill trailer pump was located alongside the current bridge and was used continuously throughout the crisis. The easy access of Gentle Annie Bridge was utilised by tankers from all over Victoria fighting the Black Range fires.

Frequently, there were up to six tankers there at the same time. The new bridge is to be located on the very spot designated and signed as a CFA fill-up point.

CFA tankers need river access points as they did at Gentle Annie, Cheshunt and Hamilton Bridges. Consequently, anew fill up point must be established at Gentle Annie Bridge.

With the recent willow removal program, the area upstream is now replanted with native trees and is not accessible for tankers to draft their own water or to install a quick-fill trailer pump. Extensive reconstruction will be necessary to provide the required access for multiple tankers as was available in this bushfire emergency.

A more economical solution might be for the council to build a pump shed by the water with a hydrant point up near the road.