La Trobe MP Jason Wood & CONSTRUCTION of Bryn Mawr Bridge at Berwick.

By Jim Mynard
CONSTRUCTION of the $10 million Bryn Mawr Bridge at Berwick will soon start.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood and Casey mayor Kevin Bradford last week announced the design phase was complete and digging would start in a few days.

La Trobe MP Jason Wood and Springfield Ward councillor Lorraine Wreford near the site of where work will soon begin on the Bryn Mawr Bridge across the railway line at Berwick.

Mr Wood said he was delighted to hear work was about to begin and he was sure the bridge would alleviate traffic concerns for the local area.

“We have seen several facilities established, including Monash University, Chisholm Institute, Beaconhills College and the new Casey Hospital, that generate significant traffic movements in the area,” he said.
“Building an extension of Soldiers Road over the railway into Bryn Mawr Boulevard will provide a safer and more convenient access for northsouth vehicle movements.”

Cr Bradford said the project was expected to take 14 months and be completed by mid2007.
“This is an exciting infrastructure project for Casey Council and will provide the community with a muchneeded piece of road infrastructure,” he said.

“The community, including local residents, two school populations and motorists travelling to facilities such as the Casey Hospital and Berwick Village Shopping Centre, will benefit from the improved access and mobility that the bridge will deliver.”

Cr Bradford said the Federal Government was providing up to $10 million for the project, and Cut and Fill Pty Ltd had designed and would build the bridge.
“Casey Council is overseeing the project throughout all phases from design through to completion of construction,” he said.
Casey director of infrastructure services Ray Butler said the bridge was more complex than other typical road projects.

“The site has tight physical constraints and active utility services functioning around it,” he said.
Mr Butler said the bridge was being built over an active railway line, and there were also major water mains, phone services and sewer services to be crossed.

“The area is surrounded by a built urban area including two schools abutting the future road, as well as a floodway, that add to the project’s uniqueness and degree of difficulty,” he said.
Mr Wood expressed thanks to residents for their support of the project and to Minister for Local Government and Roads Jim Lloyd for visiting La Trobe and seeing how important the bridge was.

Federal Member for La Trobe, Jason Wood & a young Melbourne boy Bowen

Bowen, a young Melbourne boy who suffers from Hunter Syndrome desperately needs access to the life saving drug, Elaprase but has been denied it.

The drug is available to other young children such as Beaconsfield’s Jimmy Webber. It halts the relentless progression of the crippling disease and gives children with the condition a second chance at life.
Bowen’s future depends on a meeting with the Prime Minister.

The upcoming Community Cabinet Meeting in Emerald provides the opportunity for the family to personally plead its case with the Prime Minister.

Federal Member for La Trobe, Jason Wood, has written to Prime Minister Rudd to meet with the family and personally intervene.

“This is the best chance the family will ever have to put Bowen’s case directly to the Prime Minister. I want to ensure that they get the opportunity,” said Mr Wood.
Bowen was originally hailed as a “poster boy” for access to Elaprase. He has been denied access to Elaprase due to the results of a neuro-psychological test which other children have not had to undertake.
“The unfairness of this decision is breaking the hearts of Bowen’s family and denying him his right to life,” Mr Dutton said.
“The Prime Minister is the person who can help Bowen.”
Elaprase was funded as a life saving drug in 2008 for 11 young Australians. Bowen Rule fully expected to be included in this group. Seven of the young sufferers have been offered treatment so far. Four still await the chance.