Under-staffed Bridge over troubled waters

By Kath Gannaway
COMMUNITY group Bridge 3799 could fold if new members do not take on executive positions at its next meeting, according to chairwoman Nancy Seeger.
The committee, which represents local people and is a point of contact with the Shire of Yarra Ranges, will meet tonight to set a date for the annual general meeting.
Ms Seeger told the Mail last week a number of executive and committee members will be retiring after completing their two-year term.
While admitting to feeling frustrated at the lack of progress made by the group on a number of projects, she said it still had an important role to play.
The slowly moving wheels of bureaucracy have been a major frustration, not only for her, but for many of the committee members, Ms Seeger said.
“They just grind exceedingly slowly, so in a two-year term, we have seen very little outcome and I think people become a little disappointed and dispirited.”
Ms Seeger said although they have wonderful support from Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Monika Keane, staff turnover at the shire had meant a lack of continuity in their dealings with the shire and a perception that they were not being supported.
She said the development of a township plan, which was pivotal to the progress of a number of projects, was their main goal but it was “not getting anywhere”.
“The main problem we are facing right now is that so many of the committee is leaving at the one time and we need people to drive that,” Ms Seeger said.
“It has been frustrating but that does not mean nothing is getting done and I would definitely encourage people to stick with Bridge and take on where others are leaving off.
“Hopefully we will get some new blood at the AGM, some energetic people who will push the township plan and other projects forward.
“It won’t be a quick process, but it still needs people driving it and without those people we stand to loose all we have achieved. No one is going to do it for us,” she said.
“I would hate to see 3799 not continue.”