HORSHAM’S new $1.2 million pedestrian bridge is likely to pay tribute to the 100-year anniversary of Australia’s involvement in the First World War.
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On Monday night, Horsham Rural City Council voted to name the structure the ‘Anzac Centenary Bridge’ to coincide with the anniversary of the Anzac landing at Gallipoli.
Chief executive Peter Brown said the naming of the bridge was open for public comment.
‘‘The geographic place names committee requires there is a period of public comment,’’ he said.
‘‘What we’re doing is indicating council’s preference to name it the Anzac Centenary Bridge.
‘‘If there are members of the community who think that is inappropriate or want us to consider another name, they are welcome to put that forward.’’
Mr Brown said the Horsham RSL sub-branch and the Wimmera River Improvement Committee formally requested the word ‘Anzac’ be incorporated into the name of the bridge.
He said a working committee formed to consider matters in relation to the Anzac centenary felt the request was appropriate and timely.
‘‘The committee believes linking the name Anzac to the bridge is important and, as it is being constructed during the centenary year, it should therefore be called Anzac Centenary Bridge,’’ he said.
‘‘Including the word ‘centenary’ will retain a greater level of significance to the year in the future.’’
Mr Brown said it was appropriate for council to put the Anzac name forward as it had already been submitted to the committee.
‘‘Naming the bridge after a single person is not considered to be appropriate given the importance of the bridge,’’ he said.
Mayor Mark Radford said the bridge was a significant piece of infrastructure for the community.
‘‘I like the extra word ‘centenary’. It was an important event in our nation’s history,’’ he said.
Council expects to formally adopt a name for the bridge on June 1.
Preparation work for the footbridge over the Wimmera River, which will stretch from Apex Island to Major Mitchell Drive, has started and is due for completion later this year.
Council has also proposed to name the parkland area in front of the Haven Primary School ‘Anzac Park Haven’.
The park will acknowledge the six Haven soldiers who died in the First World War and those who returned home.
Mr Brown said both proposals were open for public comment until May 26.
