Nine months after the January 2026 bushfires, Murrindindi Shire Council and Emergency Management Victoria have agreed on a clear pathway to progress the replacement of Fawcett Hall Bridge.
The agreement is an important step for a community that has experienced prolonged disruption and reduced access since the bridge was destroyed.
The replacement will be a single-lane bridge designed to current Australian safety and engineering standards. It will accommodate everyday traffic and standard heavy freight vehicles, including B-doubles, supporting a safe and reliable road network.
Council's engineering team is now finalising the technical and procurement requirements, with the project expected to go to market in the coming weeks through a Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) approved panel.
Council is working towards completion in 2027, subject to the outcome of procurement, construction conditions and final project approvals.
Council will fund the construction costs upfront and seek reimbursement for eligible costs through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), with funding provided by the Australian Government and administered through the Victorian Government.
Mayor Cr Damien Gallagher said the community had waited a long time for a clear path forward.
"This is important news for the Fawcett community. We recognise how deeply the loss of the bridge has affected people, particularly during recent heavy rainfall, and we are pleased to have reached this important step towards its replacement."
"Getting the project ready for tender gives us a firm basis to move forward. It's a significant achievement, and I want to acknowledge the community's determination and strong advocacy throughout the past nine months."
"The new bridge will be built to contemporary standards providing a more resilient critical community asset supporting contemporary needs, and designed to withstand future extreme weather events," Cr Gallagher said.
Council is also progressing nine fire-damaged bridge packages through eligibility and concept review. State assessors have confirmed eligibility for seven, with Fawcett Hall Bridge the most advanced and moving towards market testing for reconstruction.
Council continues to work with the DTP and Emergency Management Victoria on the recovery of fire-damaged bridges, including how reconstruction can restore each asset's pre-disaster function while meeting applicable contemporary standards for safety, load capacity and design.
"We are pleased to be moving into the next stage and will keep the community informed as the Fawcett Hall Bridge replacement progresses through procurement," Cr Gallagher said.
