Bass Coast Shire Council is delighted to announce that the Stewart Road Bridge reconstruction in Kernot will proceed, following the successful approval of Council's grant application through the Australian Government's Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program (SLRIP).
The Federal Government has committed $1.768 million towards the $2.21 million project, ensuring this vital piece of rural infrastructure can be rebuilt to modern safety standards, and reconnect the Kernot community after a long and challenging period of closure.
Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Rochelle Halstead welcomed the announcement, noting the strong community voice and persistence that helped drive the project forward.
"This is a fantastic outcome for Kernot and the broader Bass Coast community. The Stewart Road Bridge is more than a crossing, it is a lifeline for residents, farmers, emergency services and local industry," Cr Halstead said.
"Our community has shown incredible strength, resilience and patience throughout this process, and we are so pleased to now be able to deliver the certainty they deserve. We wholeheartedly thank the Albanese Government for recognising the urgency of this project and investing in this critical piece of rural infrastructure."
Council has completed extensive preparatory work in the background to ensure the project can progress swiftly once funding was confirmed. This includes detailed designs, environmental assessments, cultural heritage due diligence, vegetation impact assessments, and early procurement planning.
Chief Executive Officer, Greg Box acknowledged the substantial effort across teams to prepare a strong application and keep the project moving while awaiting the funding outcome.
"This result reflects exceptional work across multiple Council teams, all of whom contributed to a high quality submission and continued advocacy for this outcome," Mr Box said.
"We have deliberately progressed everything we can behind the scenes, so the community doesn't experience unnecessary delays. The moment we are able to proceed to tender, we will. Today's announcement gives us the green light to continue that momentum."
The new bridge will replace the former structure which suffered repeated overload impacts and was closed due to safety concerns. The upgrade will restore safe and reliable access for locals and improve response times for the Kernot-Grantville CFA, who had previously faced significant detours during emergencies.
Tender preparation will now progress, with procurement expected to commence early in 2026, subject to final approvals.
Council will continue to update the community through its dedicated project page:
engage.basscoast.vic.gov.au/stewart-rd-bridge-kernot
