Kirwans Bridge restoration: Coalition’s $6.3m election promise

By Monique Preston

Apr 17, 2025

A Coalition government would spend $6.3 million on restoring Kirwans Bridge if elected in the federal election. Photo by Contributed

The historic Kirwans Bridge will be restored and re-opened to traffic if the Coalition government is elected to power in the May federal election.

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Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Senator Bridget McKenzie and Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell announced on Thursday, April 17 that, if elected, a Coalition government would provide $6.3 million to restore the bridge and open it to traffic.

The restoration project would maintain the existing single lane bridge by undertaking a full renovation, including replacing the timber decking with a concrete deck slab.

Mr Birrell, who is running for re-election as a Nationals candidate for the seat of Nicholls in the May election, also announced on Thursday, $1 million to finish the upgrade to Welsford St if the Coalition forms government.

The first four stages of Welsford St from Knight St through to Fryers St have already been completed, with the work on stages five and six to upgrade Welsford St from Fryers St through to the intersection of Sobraon and Wyndham Sts, including two right turn lanes, better separation and improved pedestrian safety.

Mr Birrell also announced $1 million to extend the shared pathway from Victoria Park Lake to the Shepparton railway station and Greater Shepparton Secondary College, if the Coalition government was elected.

“The Yahna Gurtji Shared Path Network runs for 40 kilometres, through the river flats and along the magnificent Goulburn River to Kialla and Seven Creeks, but what is missing is a connection to key urban parts of Shepparton,” he said.

Greater Shepparton City Council would contribute $500,000 to the $1.5 million project.