$5 million in federal cash paves way for Port Fairy’s Gipps Street Bridge rebuild

Port Fairy’s ageing Gipps Street Bridge is set for a $5 million overhaul, with the Federal Government confirming funding for its replacement.

Labor Senator for Victoria, Raff Ciccone, will visit the town today (August 8) to announce the investment, which will be delivered through the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.

The project, led by Moyne Shire Council, will replace the two-lane road bridge over the Moyne River, which has reached the end of its service life. 

Speaking to the Brolga in July, Moyne Shire Mayor Karen Foster said the Gipps Street Bridge, a main thoroughfare of Port Fairy, needed replacing “within the year”.

In July, the Brolga reported on the shire’s push for government funding to address major infrastructure needs, with the mayor describing the bridge as a critical link that council could not afford to replace without outside help.

“We’ve tried every potential funding avenue and it all comes down to this one — we're really hoping,” Foster said.

“This investment will have a lasting positive impact on the Port Fairy community and the thousands of tourists who visit the area each year,” Senator Ciccone said in a statement.

Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King said the program aimed to ease the financial burden on local councils by cutting red tape and directing more money and time to projects.