Construction update: 24 April 2024

Corangamite Shire (Corangamite), as the responsible road authority, has reopened vehicle access today to the temporary bridge on Old Coach Road in Princetown.  Pedestrian access across the temporary bridge continues.  Public vehicle access remains restricted to a maximum 15 tonne load rating. This follows the artificial opening of the Gellibrand River mouth last Friday, and subsequent technical advice received by Corangamite that the temporary floating bridge is safe to re-open to vehicle traffic.

New bridge works will now recommence, with Old Coach Road works to recommence after the bridge’s east abutment is completed.

The community will continue to see:

  • Large cranes and equipment around the bridge area with work continuing from floating pontoons around the superstructure of the new bridge. 

  • A roadworks crew constructing the upgrade to Old Coach Road, with necessary traffic management arrangements. 

We acknowledge the inconvenience of these works for the community and appreciate the ongoing understanding and patience while the works continue.

 

Why is the bridge being replaced?

The existing Old Coach Road bridge in Princetown was built in the 1940s and is at the end of its useful life.

As a condition of the planning permit for the project (PP2016/126), Montarosa Pty Ltd is required to replace the old bridge as part of the first stage of works.

Montarosa will provide regular updates as the project progresses.

Montarosa would like to thank all stakeholders for their patience and support while these works progress. If you would like to know more, please email info@princetownecostay.com.

What do the bridgeworks involve?

The bridgeworks will involve the following tasks:

  • Construction of the temporary floating bridge structure and connection to the eastern and western banks of the Gellibrand River adjacent to the north of the old bridge.

  • Switching of traffic from the old bridge to the temporary bridge.

  • Establishment of the site compound and new bridge works areas, including the installation of compound and silt fencing.

  • Deconstruction of the old single lane bridge (progressively with new bridge works).

  • Construction of the new two lane permanent bridge with separate shared use path.

  • Opening of the new permanent bridge.

  • Removal of temporary bridge and site remediation.

These works are being conducted in accordance with planning permit (PP2016/126) issued to Montarosa Pty and a Construction Management Plan, Parking and Traffic Management Plan and other associated plans endorsed by Corangamite Shire Council, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (formerly the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning).

Instream piling works are restricted to two fish friendly periods (July - September, and January - March) to minimise impacts to the threatened Australian Grayling.

Noise levels during all works will be kept to allowable levels as per EPA guidelines and strict environmental management plans.

Princetown Eco-Stay

Princetown Eco-Stay is a permit-approved eco-tourism lodge and activity centre, 6km east of the Twelve Apostles near the Great Ocean Road. The project comprises an 18-room lodge, 20 cabins, restaurant, boat shed and nature-based activities such as walking, cycling and kayaking.

The project is inspired by the Shipwreck Coast Masterplan 2015, which aims to balance the desire to improve economic outcomes with the need to protect and enhance the natural environment.

These works are another important step towards delivering a project that create 125 jobs and contribute $103 million to the local economy during construction. Once opened, it will create 100 direct full-time equivalent jobs and provide an annual economic uplift of $43 million.

What permits are in place?

In accordance with the 70 conditions of the project’s planning permit, the Princetown Eco Stay project is to be completed in three stages. 

Stage 1 involves upgrades to the Great Ocean Road-Old Coach Road intersection, upgrades to Old Coach Road, the replacement of the Old Coach Road bridge across the Gellibrand River and the construction of an internal road to service the site.

All works will be carried out in accordance with planning permit (PP2016/126) and a Construction Management Plan and Traffic Management Plan endorsed by Corangamite Shire Council and Department of Transport.

The works are underpinned by a detailed design process, comprehensive, peer-reviewed environmental and planning studies and extensive engagement with stakeholders and Government agencies. 

Community updates

We are aware of continued stakeholder interest in the project and are committed to clear and open communications during construction works.

There will be regular updates about the upgrades posted here on the website. For more information on these works, please email info@princetownecostay.com.

FAQs

  • The bridgeworks commenced in March 2023, and involve the installation first of a separate temporary bridge to maintain river crossing access, then the installation of the new permanent bridge. These works are complex, with completion subject to progress, weather and other factors, including restricted fish friendly windows for instream piling (July - September and January - March).

    On Monday 21 August traffic was successfully transferred to a temporary floating bridge to cross the Gellibrand River. The temporary bridge will remain in place for at least 10 months as work progresses to replace the Old Coach Road bridge in Princetown – a 1940s timber structure that has reached the end of its useful life.

    For the latest information please visit the site regularly.

  • Road users will be alerted to changed conditions by road signage in accordance with the endorsed Parking & Traffic Management Plan.

    From time to time, contractors will need to change road traffic conditions. All works will be managed to minimise disruption to traffic and the community.

    Access on Old Coach Road to the Princetown Recreation Reserve, Gellibrand River mouth, private properties and all areas east of the Old Coach Road Bridge will be maintained at all times.

    We acknowledge there will be some inconvenience and we appreciate your understanding and patience while works are under way.

  • With traffic now moved over to the temporary bridge, public access to the car park, boat ramp and northern part of the jetty on the south western bank of the Gellibrand River is closed.

    Closure is required for construction needs, environmental protection and safety reasons in what is a very constrained work area – except for emergency services access to the boatramp. This closure is now formalised in a fenced off construction compound in accordance with the approved Construction Management Plan, and will remain in place until the new bridge is opened to traffic.

    Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works around the construction compound area to the National Park, including the picnic and lawn area, Great Ocean Walk and the southern end of the jetty and river gauge. Public river access will remain in place from the National Park picnic area for kayak users, fishing etc.

    Once the new bridge is completed, the construction compound will be removed, traffic will be switched over to the new bridge, and the boatramp and carpark will be re-opened to the public.

  • Endorsed plans and reports have been prepared and endorsed in response to the 70 conditions of planning permit PP2016/126.

    These include a construction management plan, parking and traffic management plan, a flora and fauna report, aquatic ecology report, and other associated plans and reports.

    Additionally, a Flora Fauna Guarantee Act permit is in place for the removal of native vegetation for the works, two Works on Waterways permits are in place for the temporary and permanent bridge works and a Cultural Heritage Management Plan is also in place.

    The endorsed construction management plan combines all the strict and extensive environmental controls across all plans, reports and permits into one document.

    In stream bridge piling works in the Gellibrand River will only take place during designated windows (January - March and July - September) to ensure the migration and spawning of the protected Australian Grayling is not affected.

  • Princetown public infrastructure enabling works, including infrastructure upgrades at Old Coach Road, are delivered as part of the $500 million Geelong City Deal, a collaborative plan to transform Geelong and the Great Ocean Road by the Australian and Victorian Governments, and local council through the Private Sector Business Enablement Fund. This project is further supported through other private and public funding.

  • For regular updates, including potential disruptions to traffic, please visit the website regularly. You can also email us at info@princetownecostay.com.