Bass Coast Shire Council has reaffirmed its commitment to rebuilding the Stewart Road Bridge, following a recent community gathering in Kernot where residents came together to discuss the bridge and share their experiences.
The Stewart Road Bridge upgrade aims to address key structural and safety issues while maintaining the current alignment, location and number of lanes. Council acknowledges the local heritage value of the bridge and is committed to retaining and showcasing timber elements within the new design, while ensuring the structure meets modern engineering standards.
After detailed assessment, Council Officers reached two viable options for consideration. Option 1, a repair to a 5-tonne load rating with a 20+ year service life, would allow passenger car movement but not trucks or emergency vehicles, and would require ongoing inspection and management for overloading. Option 2, an upgrade to a standard Victorian road load rating (44-tonne limit) with a 50+ year service life, was deemed the most sustainable solution, best addressing ongoing overloading issues and ensuring minimal disruption to the community over time.
The existing bridge had been repeatedly overloaded, even with a 20-tonne restriction in place. A lighter-duty repair would leave the structure vulnerable to further closures and high monitoring costs, without providing a long-term solution. These closures have real impacts on the community, affecting daily travel, emergency access, farm operations and financial planning. The preferred option will ensure longevity, safety and a 50+ year design life, providing a reliable and resilient crossing for decades to come.
Council has submitted a funding application through the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program (SLRIP) to support the project, valued at approximately $2.3 million. While outcomes were expected in October, the announcement has been delayed. Council remains in regular contact with the relevant departments and continues to advocate strongly for an outcome, given the community's reliance on the bridge. Should the application be unsuccessful, Council will explore alternative funding pathways to ensure the bridge can be rebuilt as soon as possible.
Design and preparatory work are well advanced, with environmental and cultural assessments complete or in progress, including targeted surveys to protect nearby colonies of Giant Gippsland Earthworms. Once funding is confirmed, Council expects to move quickly into the tender process, which will typically take up to around 13 weeks.
Bass Coast Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead said the community gathering on Friday evening reinforced how vital the bridge is to the Kernot community and surrounding district, and that Council is unwavering in its determination to see it rebuilt.
"The Stewart Road Bridge is absolutely essential for Kernot, not only for access, but for connection, safety and the everyday life of this community," Cr Halstead said. "We know how deeply its closure has affected residents, farmers and emergency services. That's why Council continues to advocate strongly to State and Federal governments for the funding needed to get this bridge rebuilt. We're ready to move as soon as we get the green light."
Cr Halstead said the community's resilience and patience throughout the process had strengthened Council's resolve.
"This project has been years in the making and our community deserves certainty. We're determined to deliver a bridge that respects its heritage, meets modern safety standards and serves the needs of future generations."
