The Schrinner Council will invest $135 million towards the Story Bridge Renewal Project ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Story Bridge Renewal Progress Update, released today as part of the 2026-27 Budget, recommended $1.35 billion be invested in the bridge over the next six years.
The Progress Update confirms work on the Story Bridge Renewal Business Case is now over 80 per cent complete and sufficiently advanced for Council to commit funding across its forward estimates.
Council will formally seek an 80 per cent ($1.08 billion) funding contribution from the Federal Government and the remaining 10 per cent ($135 million) from the State Government.
The 80 per cent contribution is in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to other landmark long-term infrastructure projects across Australia, including the Bruce Highway.
Other examples of nationally significant projects delivered under similar funding arrangements include:
• The Bridgewater Bridge in Tasmania
• The Honeysuckle Creek Bridge replacement in New South Wales
The $1.08 billion investment being sought is the equivalent of about 11 hours of the Federal Government’s $815 billion annual revenue.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has written to Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King about the Progress Update and has already held positive talks with Premier David Crisafulli.
The draft business case will be submitted to the Federal Government and Infrastructure Australia by August.
The Story Bridge Renewal Progress Update said the business case would recommend Council lead a progressive bridge renewal project over the next 20 years.
The project, which will cost $3.6 billion over 20 years, will ensure the Story Bridge continues for another century and more.
The Story Bridge Renewal Progress Update found the full demolition and replacement cost of the bridge would be at least $9.3 billion in the future.
The Story Bridge was originally designed to last 100 years after being built by the State Government between 1935 and 1940.
In the 1930s, it was designed around a 24-tonne lorry and carried fewer than 10,000 daily trips in the 1940s, which included motor cars, horse-drawn vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles.
It now carries more than 100,000 passenger, freight and public transport vehicles a day, a load far greater than originally envisaged during construction.
The Progress Update found that regardless of the Story Bridge being well-maintained, it was performing beyond the capacity it was designed for and reaching the end of its life.
While the Story Bridge remains on track to celebrate its centenary thanks to decades of maintenance and renewal, many other Australian bridges have not been so fortunate.
Examples include:
• Brisbane’s Centenary Bridge, built in 1964, which is being replaced before its 65th birthday
• The old Hornibrook Bridge, which connected Brisbane to Redcliffe and was replaced and
demolished before reaching 75 years
• Tasmania’s Bridgewater Bridge, which was demolished and replaced before its 80th
birthday with Federal Government support
The Story Bridge is one of Australia’s most significant heritage transport landmarks and remains part of the National Highway Network.
Ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the business case will recommend:
• Replacing ageing concrete and fittings
• Strengthening of the concrete structure on the bridge’s southern approach
• Steel repairs, removing lead paint and recoating the main span
• Access upgrades including the main span gantries and top access walkway
• Anti-climb upgrades
• Service upgrades including fire, electrical, security and lighting
• Bearing upgrades
• Upgrades to the end-of-life lighting
The Schrinner Council’s $135 million investment in the Story Bridge Renewal Project is in addition to ongoing regular maintenance work on the iconic structure.
In 2026-27, $18 million will be invested in the bridge, including major resurfacing and waterproofing works on the southern approach.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner:
“For 86 years, the Story Bridge has been both a critical transport connection for Queenslanders and a much-loved icon of Brisbane.
“It was built to last 100 years and the business case is a blueprint to ensure it’s around for another century and more.
“All major bridges eventually need a renewal and the business case will show we have time to progressively undertake this work over the next two decades.
“Ongoing maintenance has ensured the bridge will see its 100th birthday, and renewal will get to its 200th birthday.
“We’re very confident all three levels of government will get behind the Story Bridge renewal so the bridge is at its best during the 2032 Games and beyond.
“The Federal Government has already contributed towards the business case and I’ve had positive talks with the Queensland Premier about the project.
“A good story deserves a sequel and by working together we will ensure the Story Bridge has the sequel it deserves.”
Quotes attributable to Infrastructure Chair Ryan Murphy:
“The Story Bridge is one of Queensland’s most iconic structures, serving as a crucial artery for our city.
“More than 100,000 vehicles use the bridge every day and almost half those trips originate outside Brisbane.
“The business case confirms that failing to renew this Bridge will ultimately cost taxpayers over $9 billion.
“We’re very confident that Infrastructure Australia will list this project as a High Priority, given how essential this bridge is to Queensland’s past, present and future.
“The 80 per cent contribution we are seeking over the next few years represents just several hours of Federal Government revenue.
“It’s also in line with contributions the Federal Government has made to other transport projects, like the Bruce Highway.”
