Toodyay Herald

The Perth Transport Authority (PTA) will also build a new controlled railway crossing suitable for disabled people west of the railway station.

The bridge was closed in May last year after a local resident was injured in a fall on the uneven walkway.

A PTA spokesperson said the works would repair critical parts of the bridge, including replacing parts of the pier columns, repairing mesh inserts on the handrails and broken railings, and replacing degraded parts of the bridge decking.

Depending on the weather and subject to required rail safety approvals by freight rail operator Arc Infrastructure, work should begin in September.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said she knew how important the footbridge was to the people of Toodyay and that many users were looking forward to it reopening.

“Ensuring there is a safe option for passengers and community members alike – particularly those with a disability – to cross the tracks is an important initiative,” she said.

Local Labor MP Darren West said he had lobbied the State Government for this outcome and was delighted that the parties involved had reached an agreement.

“I thank the Minister for this investment in the Toodyay community and for her ongoing support of the AvonLink Train Service.”

Local WA Nationals MP Shane Love described it on Facebook as “great news for Toodyay residents”.

“I have actively lobbied the Transport Minister on this important issue for some time now and this is a great result,” he said.

“I thank the Minister for her support.

“This is a good long-term and workable solution that ensures Toodyay residents – including the young, disabled and elderly – can safely cross from one side of town to the other.”

Toodyay Shire councillors voted 6-1 behind closed doors last month (Cr Bill Manning against, Cr Ben Bell overseas on business) to add Mr Scott’s $20,800 annual housing allowance to his new base salary, which increases his ratepayer-funded superannuation to more than $25,000 a year.

Perth’s Consumer Price Index (cost of living) rose by 1.1 per cent in the 12 months to March 31.

Cr Manning’s motion for no pay rise lapsed without debate when no other councillor responded to President’s Rayner’s call for a seconder.

Mr Scott left the chamber only after Cr Manning queried why the CEO was being allowed to stay and watch while councillors decided how much to pay him.

Earlier, two State Government investigators conducting an ‘authorised inquiry’ into the Toodyay Shire Council introduced themselves to Shire President Brian Rayner and remained in the chamber when the public gallery was ordered to leave for four items of ‘confidential’ business, including the CEO’s contract.

President Rayner later told The Herald that Cr Manning had sent him five pages of “cosmetic changes” to the CEO’s contract the day before the council meeting.

“Council accepted those changes as they did not alter the meaning of the contract,” President Rayner said.

“There were also four amendments to the contract to be added.”

Cr Manning, a former WA Government senior lawyer who helped prepare multi-million-dollar State contracts, said the draft CEO contract contained several inconsistencies that needed to be corrected.

The contract also required about half a dozen “substantive” changes that councillors debated and accepted, he said.

President Rayner said he was unable to provide a copy of the CEO’s new contract to The Herald as a public document under local government law until a revised copy was signed by himself and Mr Scott.