"Each day more than 9000 vehicles, including 1200 trucks, travel through ... much of this is through-traffic, so by diverting heavy vehicles away we’ll reduce congestion in the main street and enhance safety for people looking to park, shop and walk in the area." - Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese. (State Government press release about the Yarra Glen bypass.)
WORK began on a $15 million truck bypass at Yarra Glen last week while Kilmore and Wallan residents continue to fight for the same relief.
Local lobby group the Wallan/Kilmore Bypass Group (WKBG) argues that the traffic conditions in Kilmore are almost identical to those in Yarra Glen, and yet their cry for a bypass is being ignored.
WKBG President Brian Mawhinney said that the Yarra Glen bypass has gone ahead for all the reasons a bypass is needed for Wallan and Kilmore.
"It is a mirror image of everything Kilmore," he said.
"Reduce heavy vehicle through traffic, provide important safety benefits for local communities, enhance the safety for people in the area, reduce travel time for trucks, and reduce transport costs.
"[It all] applies to Wallan and Kilmore yet both Ministers Pallas and Albanese ignore our plight."
He said one of the biggest issues regarding a bypass of Wallan and Kilmore was the funding needed.The Yarra Glen bypass is jointly funded by $9 million from the State Government, $5.5million from the Federal Government and $500,000 from the Shire of Yarra Ranges.
The WKBG said that in a meeting with former Minister for Roads Tim Lloyd, Mr Lloyd stated that Federal funding of up to 80 per cent could be available for a bypass of Wallan and Kilmore, provided that it did not use internal roads, in which case it would have to be funded by the State Government.
The group has questioned Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese about Federal funding.Mr Albanese has twice failed to answer whether a bypass would attract Federal funding if the Northern Highway was connected to the Hume Freeway, writing the issue off as a State Government matter.
"Given that State and Federal funding has gone into a Yarra Glen by-pass, I wonder why the people of Wallan and Kilmore cannot attract the same funding." Mr Mawhinney said.
"I doubt if any of the Roads Ministers will come within a bull’s roar of Wallan and Kilmore to explain their actions as to why we cannot get a by-pass."
WKBG Secretary Wendy Law described the Federal funding for the Yarra Glen bypass project as "a real slap in the face."
"It may be smaller than ours but it is just as important. After all, Yarra Glen does not have the same size and amount of trucks that we have and yet we are being overlooked and indeed rejected for Federal funding and our road would be connected to a Federal highway," Ms Law said.
The WKBG are determined to continue their fight for a bypass of Wallan and Kilmore.Consumer Affairs recently approved an application the by the WKBG to become incorporated after the group’s AGM last month.
The first official meeting under the WKBG Inc banner took place yesterday (Monday September 21) at the Wallan Multi-Purpose Centre.
The group will alternate meetings on a monthly basis between Wallan and Kilmore and meetings will be held on the third Monday of each month (subject to venue availability).
The October meeting will be held at the John Taylor Room at the Kilmore Library on Monday, October 19 at 7.30pm.The group welcomes their current members and anyone interested in joining the group to these meetings.
Membership of the group is $5 joining fee and an annual subscription of $10 single membership and $15 for a family membership."The WKBG Inc will continue its fight for a by-pass, louder and longer, all the way to November 2010 and beyond," Mr Mawhinney said.
