Bass Coast Shire Council has awarded a tender for the construction of the new Stewart Road Bridge in Kernot.
Council has appointed Timber Restoration Systems Pty Ltd to deliver the $2.35 million project, which is being jointly funded by the Australian Government and Council.
The new bridge will replace the current structure that was damaged by overloading and general degradation and ultimately closed due to safety concerns.
Council says the new bridge will restore safe and reliable access for local residents and improve emergency response times for the Kernot-Grantville CFA, who have faced lengthy detours during callouts since the closure.
The bridge, which crosses the Bass River, has been closed since March 2025 after structural assessments identified ongoing safety risks. The structure had a 20‑tonne load limit and could no longer safely support heavy vehicles without risk of further damage.
Following consultation and detailed cost estimates, Council resolved to rebuild the bridge to a higher load rating of 44-tonnes to ensure the structure meets current and future needs.
Since the closure, Council has advocated strongly for funding to support the project and in December last year, secured $1.768 million through the Australian Government’s Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program (SLRIP). To ensure the works could begin quickly as soon as funding was confirmed, Council completed the necessary planning and approvals in advance. A selective tender process opened before Christmas and closed on 28 January 2026, with submissions carefully evaluated prior to today’s award.
Bass Coast Mayor, Rochelle Halstead thanked the Australian Government for its investment and acknowledged the strong advocacy of the local community.
“I want to sincerely thank the Australian Government for backing this project and recognising how critical this bridge is for safety and connectivity,” Mayor Halstead said.
“I also want to congratulate the Kernot community for their strong advocacy and for working with us to achieve this outcome. I hope that today’s decision brings a renewed sense of optimism, knowing their detour days are finally a step closer to ending.”
Construction is expected to commence in April, with works anticipated to take around six months from decommissioning of the existing structure.
