Community split in two as crucial Pollocksford Rd bridge repairs delayed again

What should be a four-minute drive now takes nearly an hour for divided communities as repair works on their vital connecting bridge face delays.

CFA member Evan Belfrage says the closure of Pollocksford Road Bridge is making it hard for local brigades. Picture: Alan Barber

A regional community has been left frustrated by a lack of action on repairs for a bridge splitting them in two, with a pair of local fireys saying the ongoing closure is making it harder to respond to calls.

Residents of adjacent towns Gnarwarre and Stonehaven have been split from each other since the Pollocksford Rd bridge, which crosses the Barwon River, was shut in April last year due to structural issues.

Surf Coast Shire announced in December that repairs on the bridge would begin in mid-2025, but so far nothing has happened.

Council’s general manager of placemaking and environment Chris Pike confirmed the contract for the works to repair the bridge now wasn’t expected to be awarded until the December council meeting.

“After the contract is awarded, we will be able to confirm the timeline for construction,” Mr Pike said.

The historic bridge has been relegated to a pedestrian only thoroughfare. Picture: Alan Barber

“We acknowledge this is taking a long time as we try and lengthen the life of the old bridge.

“We’re grateful for people’s patience and understanding.”

Gnarwarre CFA volunteer Evan Belfrage said the bridge’s closure stopped firefighters from being able to respond to parts of the area.

With no confirmed timeline for the project, the bridge is expected to remain closed for the duration to the bushfire season.

“We can’t get to a fire on the northern side of the river, and then supporting brigades can’t get south to us,” Mr Belfrage said.

“All of the schedule had to be changed of who responds to what.”

Gnarwarre woman Julie Oataway, for whom the bridge’s closure means her usual 20-minute drive to babysit her grandkids in Bannockburn now takes an hour, said the delay was frustrating for locals.

“All the money goes down the coast,” Ms Oataway said.

“All the roads up in the Barrabool Hills apart from the highway are shocking, should we be in Golden Plains (Shire)?

“It’ just ridiculous.”

The Pollocksford Road Bridge in Gnarwarre is still closed for repairs

Julie Oataway is frustrated by the closure of the Pollocksford Rd bridge. It means she is cut off from her grandchildren Billy, 9, and Ebony, 12, who live in Bannockburn. Julie has to drive an extra 60 minutes to see them every week because of the bridge closure. Picture: Alan Barber

The single-lane bluestone bridge runs over the Barwon River.

While the bridge sits right on the border of Surf Coast and Golden Plains shires, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Surf Coast Shire.

The bridge closure means the usual four minute drive to the other side of the bridge balloons all the way out to nearly 20.

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Originally published as Community split in two as crucial Pollocksford Rd bridge repairs delayed again