Bridging the gaps in Greater Shepparton

But poor road conditions, flooding and population growth are providing challenges for all road users.

Greater Shepparton City Council, as part of its Australian Government Priorities 2025/26 document, has announced its pursuit of a Greater Shepparton Road Network Resilience Package.

This package has two major parts:

With the loss of the $208 million bypass funding and a further $130 million cut from the Roads of Strategic Importance, now is the time to improve the regional road transport network by delivering these road infrastructure projects.

“Our community needs better road infrastructure and improved connectivity in and around Greater Shepparton,” City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali said.

“Efficient and effective transport movement is critical to the ongoing growth and competitiveness of the city and of the surrounding region.”

1. New Goulburn River Bridge

Currently, Shepparton has only one crossing over the Goulburn River.

The Peter Ross-Edwards Causeway, which connects Shepparton and Mooroopna along the Midland Hwy, currently takes over 30,000 vehicles per day.

The October 2022 flooding event saw the causeway inundated, cutting off the two towns.

Communities were separated.

Major impacts were felt across the freight industry and key supply chains, with delays and detours adding hundreds of kilometres to journeys.

Greater Shepparton Business Network president Stephen Schneider said for not only businesses but the community, something needed to be done about getting a second crossing.

“The floods of 2022 certainty made it clear that as a state, we’re very reliant on a pretty antiquated river crossing system for the Goulburn River,” he said.

“With Shepparton being such a pivotal hub in freight and logistics movement, it’s paramount that we have that additional river crossing come through.”

Council wants to ensure the 2022 situation won’t happen again.

“A new Goulburn River Bridge is needed to ensure our two largest towns, Shepparton and Mooroopna, are never cut off from one another again,” Cr Sali said.

Council is seeking development funds to revise the design, costing and scope of the major project.

The proposed bridge would sit within the general location of the proposed Shepparton Bypass.

Starting from Echuca Rd in Mooroopna, it would cross over between Reedy Swamp and Gemmill Swamp, connecting to Wanganui Rd in Shepparton.

The bridge would ensure there was a flood-immune crossing over the river, and ensure access during flood events, reducing the amount of heavy vehicles travelling through the CBD.

Shepparton and Mooroopna will still be able to act as the one city, despite the river between them.

2. Key Road Projects

As the region continues to grow, so does the pressure on the road network.

Compounding this is growing freight and logistic activities, which will continue to grow with the GV Link industrial precinct, with works beginning soon.

Recognising this, council has selected six intersections and roads in need of improvements and upgrades to support growing infrastructure.

Kreskas Brothers Transport managing director Josh Kreskas said the package highlighted the “extreme poor conditions of local roadways and major arterial routes”.

“Our fleet moves across the region every day. We see first-hand the impact that deteriorating roads and bottlenecks have on supply chains,” he said.

“The current network is under significant strain, and that puts pressure not just on transport operators, but on everyday business that relies on timely freight.”

Cr Sali said the delivery of these key projects would “significantly improve” the road transport network.

“The capacity of the Goulburn Valley Hwy in and around Greater Shepparton can no longer safely and efficiently support existing traffic volumes,” he said.

“It is important that the existing and proposed transport network is managed and integrated in conjunction with the region’s growth areas through the backing of the Greater Shepparton Road Network Resilience Package.”

These six projects, along with the Goulburn River Bridge, form the key solution to addressing the region’s existing road limitations to create a more efficient, safer and resilient road network.

The Road Network Resilience Package demonstrates the long-term benefits of the investment into Shepparton and Mooroopna as a major regional transport and freight hub.

Through a variety of state, federal and local funding, these projects will have many benefits, including reducing travel times, supporting local businesses, enhancing community wellbeing and increasing overall productivity of the area.

“The resilience package is a critical investment in the infrastructure that keeps Greater Shepparton moving,” Mr Kreskas said.

“It’s not just about roads, it’s about strengthening supply chains, supporting industry and building a safer, more efficient future for our region.”