Since the announcement back in 2015 that Batemans Bay would have a new bridge there has been wide discussion as to the design and location of the bridge and also the destiny of the old Batemans Bay Bridge across the Clyde. At the announcement yesterday by Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey and Member for Bega Andrew Constance that $300 million will be invested to open the Clyde River to tourism and ease road congestion around Batemans Bay with funding to construct new bridges at Nelligen and Batemans Bay the question of what will happen to the Old Batemans Bay bridge came up. It was suggested by one of the public at the announcement that the State Government could investigate a private lease over the bridge to preserve the structure because it is a Batemans Bay icon that many enjoy visiting, walking over and photographing. It was even suggested that a restaurant could be accommodated in the bridge house. An Roads and Maritime (RMS) representative advised that the annual maintenance costs on the bridge have averaged $1 million dollars per year for the last five years. It was also suggested from the announcement gallery that either a low profile ferry be purchased negating the need for the bridge to open and therefore negating the need to replace the bridge at all. It was also offered that the ferry move its operation west of the bridge and that sailing craft not be given access to the western side of the bridge if its deck is permanently fixed in a closed position. These are not new comments and have been bandied around for some time and have been well aired with wide, and often passionate discussion in The Beagle. The following is the response by Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey and Member for Bega Andrew Constance to those who might wish to see the old Batemans Bay bridge remain in addition to a new bridge; or to those who consider the existing bridge remain and no new bridge be built:
