Rylstone's footbridge has been put on hold after councillors opted to redirect $200,000 of the project budget into attracting an airline to the region.
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Councillor Lucy White sparked a vigorous debate after proposing funds be transferred at Wednesday's Mid-Western Council meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, Cr White said she could not justify dedicating the amount to a footbridge when the community was in dire need of an air service.
“The need to reinstate the airline here is at a critical point,” Cr White said.
Mudgee has been without an airline for almost 12 months after mainstay Brindabella Airlines went into receivership in December 2013.
Cr White said the absence was having a damaging effect on the region's medical industry.
But Cr Peter Shelley slammed the decision, claiming Rylstone residents would be left to dodge traffic on a bridge without pedestrian access or go on a “nature hike” to get to a small footbridge that is “not accessible”.
“It was an unintelligent, disrespectful and lazy decision,” said Cr Shelley, who with councillors Max Walker and John Weatherley voted against the transfer of funds.
“It's only a safety issue, that's purely what it is. If they worked on the budgets they could find the money for both.”
“It's only a safety issue, that's purely what it is. If they worked on the budgets they could find the money for both.”
Through the debate it was revealed some councillors had been briefed earlier in the day about issues relating to the airport. Cr Shelley did not attend the meeting.
“They get a Powerpoint presentation and then go looking to see where they can find $200,000,” Cr Shelley said.
Residents have expressed their outrage on the Kandos/Rylstone 2 Towns but 1 Community Facebook page.
“Looks like ill [sic] have to continue pushing the pram over the bridge & sharing it with trucks & idiot drivers who dont [sic] slow down for us,” Laura Jordan posted on the page.
“The little foot bridge is not very pram friendly btw [sic & until I am guaranteed that no slithery friends will pop out from the long grass we have to treck [sic] by to get to that foot bridge i will not be using it!”
Kat McDonald said the bridge was “undeniably” needed in Rylstone.
“I'm sure everyone has at least 1 'near hit' story as a pedestrian on that bridge,” she posted.