Standing defiantly in front of Hepburn Shire Council excavators, the residents stopped earth works to widen a road at the bottom of Seventh St.

The road was to be widened so that crane operators contracted by Parks Victoria could access the bridge and remove the historic steel bridge span.

This follows the removal of another historic bridge, in Fifth St, on August 18 by Parks Victoria in partnership with the council. The work was undertaken without community consultation.

Hepburn Springs resident Peter O'Mara said it was ironic that people were being reassured on a mobile phone by Parks Victoria manager Karen Doyle that no works would begin while the excavators started "rolling in".

"It would seem that Parks Victoria has no concept of appropriate community consultation and completely underestimated the attachment of Mitch's Bridge to the local community," he said.

Following a stand off with council officers and phone conversations with Ms Doyle, the excavation works were called off and a meeting was held with Parks Victoria and community members.

The meeting resolved to consider other bridge restoration options and to investigate strategies for ongoing use.

Parks Victoria has given the community a firm undertaking that no further works will start until full consultation has been undertaken.

Members of the community met at the Savoia Hotel last Wednesday night to discuss the costs involved in retaining the bridge.

Brian Hawkes said people had generously pledged donations to keep the bridge. He said the community would write to Parks Victoria.

Parks Victoria acting ranger-in-charge Karen Doyle said the future of the 80-year-old bridges would be decided in the coming weeks.

"Both bridges are unsafe and could fail at any time," she said.