In particular, Cr. Shaw objected to "personal remarks" contained in the petition relating to General Manager Mr. John Bell.
The petition was presented to Thursday's Council meeting at Gunning by Collector resident Mrs. Barbara Bryan.
Many of those who had signed the petition had added their own comments.
Three of these referred to Mr. Bell in unflattering terms.
One compared Mr. Bell to the bridge itself - "old, worn out and needs replacing."
These references in particular Cr. Shaw branded as offensive.
Cr. Shaw also pointed out that many of the signatories were from other parts of the State and even inter-state.
"These people know nothing whatsoever about the bridge," Cr. Shaw said.
He told Mrs. Bryan that although Council received the petition, he personally rejected it for those reasons.
Many of the comments in the petition related to the heritage value of the existing bridge, which has now been closed to traffic by Council because of its dangerous condition.
One signatory claimed that the bridge was 130 years old.
However, Council's Manager of Works, Mr. Peter Mowle, said that research had disclosed that the bridge was designed in 1900, and was widened in 1935.
It was of a "generic" design of the period, and several hundred of them had been built throughout the State.
"From the point of view of both the RTA and the heritage people the bridge is not a significant structure," Mr. Mowle said.
He added he had not yet received a flood projection report which may affect the final design of the box culvert which will replace the old timber bridge.
Cr. Mick Mayoh: "This debate is a waste of time. The bridge must be closed and replaced. If we had the money to replace it with a similar bridge, we would have more important priorities anyway."
Director of Works Mr. Phil Newham commented that there had been a lot of confusion about the Timber Bridge Replacement Fund, which is supported by State and Federal subsidies.
"The Fund is for regional roads only - this is not a regional road," he said.
In answer to further questions from Mrs. Bryan and from Cr. Mike Coley. Mr. Mowle said the new structure was not like a causeway with a dip in the middle; the road surface across it would be at the same level as the existing southern approaches; it would not be feasible (even if financially possible) to construct a new bridge alongside the present one; normal flow between the ponds in the stream bed would not be affected.
Mrs. Bryan made the point that the flow across the centre of the new culvert would be much stronger than "backed up" water and could be dangerous in a flood.
Mr. Mowle added that the bridge would eventually collapse of its own weight if not removed.
He added that it is expected that access to the village from the southern end will be closed for about six months while the new structure is being built.
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