Council has welcomed a $25 million Coalition election commitment to support planning and development for a second Goulburn River crossing, describing it as an important step towards delivering one of the region's most significant infrastructure priorities.
The Goulburn River Bridge (second river crossing) forms a key component of Council's Greater Shepparton Road Network Resilience Package and has been identified as a critical project to improve transport reliability, freight efficiency and community safety across the region. The project is a major advocacy priority for Council and the community as part of the 2026 Victorian State Election campaign.
Mayor, Councillor Geoff Akers, said the announcement was a welcome recognition of the importance of Greater Shepparton's transport network to the region, state and nation.
"We welcome this commitment from the Coalition and acknowledge the support shown towards one of Greater Shepparton's most important advocacy priorities," he said.
"The $25 million commitment for planning and development is a significant step forward and will help progress the detailed work required to move this project towards delivery.
"A second river crossing is critical for the future of our region. It will strengthen transport reliability, improve connectivity between Shepparton and Mooroopna, support growing freight demands and help ensure our community remains connected during emergencies and natural disasters."
The funding would support the next stage of planning and development for the project, including design and engineering investigations, environmental and cultural heritage assessments, flood modelling, traffic assessments and preparation of an updated business case to help attract future investment.
The proposed project would include new road connections between the Goulburn Valley Highway, Echuca Road and Midland Highway, a bridge and elevated road structure across the Goulburn River floodplain, along with key intersection and culvert upgrades.
Chair of the Goulburn Valley Highway Bypass Action Group, Peter Johnson, said the project has been long overdue.
"It is crucial. Every day you see the amount of traffic coming through Shepparton banking up, heavy vehicles through the centre of town, it just destroys the amenity and makes it difficult for people to enjoy the place," he said.
"This decision today is the crucial one. When you get a commitment to declare it a priority project and allocate funds to the design, that is precisely what we have been looking for, for the last 25 years. I'm delighted for the citizens of Mooroopna as well as Shepparton."
Council said the announcement reflected growing recognition of the need to strengthen Greater Shepparton's transport network and provide greater resilience during emergencies. The vulnerability of relying on a single major road connection between Shepparton and Mooroopna was starkly demonstrated during the 2022 floods, when the causeway was closed and the two communities were effectively cut off from one another.
"Meeting with Mooroopna residents impacted by the 2022 floods last Friday reinforced just how important a second river crossing is. When that connection is lost, people's ability to access medical care, work, school and essential services is significantly affected," Cr Akers said.
While the commitment represented a milestone for the project, Cr Akers said further investment would be required to deliver the crossing.
"This commitment is an important first step, but substantial funding will still be needed to construct a second river crossing. Planning and development work is essential to move the project forward, but our community's long-term goal remains securing the investment needed to build this critical piece of infrastructure," he said.
"A regional city of Greater Shepparton's size and strategic importance should not be dependent on a single major river crossing. This project is fundamentally about keeping communities connected and safe, while supporting Victoria's freight and agricultural industries."
Council is renewing its call for all political parties and local candidates to support the region's broader State Election priorities.
"We welcome commitments from all sides of politics that support Greater Shepparton and regional Victoria," Cr Akers said.
"The second river crossing is one of several critical projects identified through Council's 2026 Victorian State Election priorities, and we encourage all candidates and parties to back the investments needed to support our growing community."
Council's 2026 Victorian State Election priorities include a range of projects and initiatives across transport infrastructure, health, housing, education, community infrastructure and economic development aimed at supporting one of Victoria's fastest-growing regional centres.
