Safety upgrades underway for Bridge bus stop and RSL path
by SANDI MILLER
6th July 2026
MANNINGHAM Council has begun upgrading the steps and fencing at the bus stop in front of the Warrandyte RSL, and along the stone footpath above it.
Council has received a number of complaints from the RSL committee and neighbouring residents about the safety of the path in front of the Memorial Gardens and the stairs to the bus stop.
While the stone steps and footpath have significant local heritage value, they can be difficult to walk on due to the way they are constructed.
Safety concerns regarding the steps have also affected the annual Anzac Day March, with some veterans opting to peel off at Mitchell Avenue to enter from Brackenbury Street.
Council was keen to get the works started before the end of the financial year and engaged local firm Habitat Construction & Development to complete the works.
When the Diary visited the site, Habitat had already begun constructing the post and wire fence, which complements the existing fence along the south side of Yarra Street from the Mechanics’ Institute.
Jennifer Bryant from Warrandyte Returned & Services League Sub Branch said Warrandyte RSL is relieved to hear that the Council is undertaking the necessary repairs to the steps and fencing.
“The very high step near the upper path access is clearly dangerous for small children and elderly adults, and we assume the steps will be rectified to a uniform step-up height consistent with building regulations for public stairs.
“Hopefully they will re-use as much of the Historical stone in the current steps as possible.”
A spokesperson from Habitat said the firm is consulting with local stonemason James Charlwood to ensure the stairs are completed using materials that are in line with the existing stonework.
Mr Charlwood told the Diary he has spoken to both Chris Spring from Habitat and the project manager from Manningham Council, who he said were both very receptive to his input.
“And I am just doing all I can at the moment to help Chris source some local rock.”
He said he knows that Bev Hanson has some beautiful rocks on her property and, following the interview, was able to procure enough local stone from the Hanson’s for the project.
“I don’t see a more important opportunity than those steps right there; it really is at the heart of the community.”
He said the work that Council did on the bus stop in 2019 was very upsetting, which is why he was keen to offer his advice on these works.
“They literally just smashed up the old stonework at the bottom of the steps with an excavator.”
He said that good design will not only make the area safer, but using materials and design that are in sympathy with the existing infrastructure will greatly assist with maintaining a Warrandyte aesthetic.
Complainants also noted that the existing post and rail fence along the pathway was too far from the path, and the grab rails did not encompass the whole stairway.
Ms Bryant said the inclusion of a metal grab rail the full length of the current steps will assist in addressing the RSL’s safety concerns.
“At present, the metal rail is only present for approximately two-thirds of the height of the steps, finishing before the current largest step.
“A rail along the length of the steps will greatly improve the safety of the access.”
Ms Bryant said the replacement of the current fence along the lower edge of the path in line with the neighbouring path along the upper pathway made from timber, rail, and wire, placed closer to the edge of the stone pathway in front of the RSL Memorial Gardens, will also improve the safety of the area for local foot traffic.
