Community
15 August, 2025
Critical funding for bridge works
PORT Fairy’s Gipps Street bridge looks set to be replaced thanks to a $5 million funding boost from the federal government.
Locals and visitors to the town have long raised safety concerns about the bridge, and have eagerly awaited funding news for its replacement.
During a visit to the town last Friday afternoon, Senator Raff Ciccone announced that $5 million in critical infrastructure funding would be allocated for the design and upgrade of the bridge.
The project, which will be delivered by Moyne Shire Council, includes the replacement of the two-lane road bridge over the Moyne River which is “at the end of its service life.”
“This will preserve community, recreational and commercial links, improve road and vulnerable road user safety, and boost productivity via the removal of a load limit,” Senator Ciccone said.
“This is one of 23 projects in regional and rural Australia to receive funding through the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program (SLRIP); an initiative of the federal government designed to increase productivity, and make local roads and bridges safer and more resilient.”
Nation-wide these projects will share in more than $63 million for life-saving upgrades including treatments such as widening and sealing roads for heavy vehicle access, replacing and/or strengthening bridges and causeways, and upgrading roads to improve flood resilience.
Speaking in relation to the Gipps Street bridge project, the minister said he believes it would have a lasting impact on the Port Fairy community and the thousands of tourists who flock to the area each year.
“This funding commitment will not only support the much-needed replacement of the Gipps Street bridge, it will also (in turn) improve safety and reliability for both vehicles and pedestrians,” he said.
