Five unnamed bridges around Moorabool will soon be officially named to pay tribute to the history, places and pioneers of the area.
Moorabool residents can cast their vote to name the bridges in a VicTrack competition which runs until the end of this month.
Names will be selected for a total of 40 high-risk bridges across Victoria in fire or flood-prone areas so that emergency services can locate them quickly and accurately.
VicTrack property group general manager Peter Chau said the nominated names commemorate a local place or community member and follow criteria set out by the Office of Geographic Names (OGN).
“Naming these bridges is important to our emergency services, when seconds really count,” Mr Chau said.
The nominated names were shortlisted by a panel including the OGN, emergency services, Moorabool shire and VicTrack.
McCormacks Bridge in Bacchus Marsh may be renamed Marshbark Bridge, a hybrid of Bacchus Marsh and Ironbark roads, or Nick Atanastoff Bridge after a pioneering orchardist who moved to Bacchus Marsh after World War II and planted more than 40,000 trees.
Nominated names for a bridge at Browns Lane in Parwan include the Fred Lewin Bridge in honour of a well-known community volunteer at St Vinnies, little athletics and the local netball club.
Pearce Bridge was also shortlisted as a nod to the Pearce family who grew chicory in Bacchus Marsh from 1867 and were owners of the general store.
The other bridges are at Paces Lane in Rowsley, Dunnstown Road in Navigators and Portland Flat Road in Gordon.
For the full list: bit.ly/2DnJW3A
