By Amy Hume and Rhett Burnie
VICROADS has rejected claims one of its options for the Kilmore-Wallan Bypass is a mirror image of the ditched Kilmore Link Road.
Wallan-Kilmore Bypass Group (WKBG) president Brian Mawhinney said the option, which would bypass traffic to the west of Kilmore using Quinns Road, is too close to the township.
“It’s disappointing to see that it’s the same thing (as the link road) but to the east,” he said.
“It’s the same sort of attempt to use internal roads as a truck route.”
Mr Mawhinney made the claims came after a packed WKBG committee meeting last Thursday night.
More than 45 residents attended the meeting, where four members of the WKBG discussed the bypass options.
He said the turnout surprised the group, with residents desperate to learn more about the $130 million project.
“We didn’t expect to see that many people come down. It was just a committee meeting,” he said.
Safety concerns over the Quinns Road option were also expressed at the meeting, he said.
“There has been no consideration given for the safety of residents.
“I know what the community wants and it’s definitely not this,” he said.
The community would reject the Quinns Road option, just as they had with the ill-fated plan for a link road, if VicRoads pursues it, Mr Mawhinney said.
“We expect the same numbers and more at the (next) meeting.”
But VicRoads regional director Mal Kersting rejected the WKBG’s claims, saying it’s too early to tell which option would provide the best location for the bypass.
“It’s different to the link road. It would cater for traffic that won’t want to travel to Kilmore or Wallan,” he said.
“We want to make sure it (the bypass) provides the most benefits to the community – reducing traffic in High Street (Wallan) and Sydney Street (Kilmore) - and is accessible to the towns.”
Mr Kersting said quarries, hills and salinity prevented the option for a bypass north of Kilmore.
“There are limitations on where we can physically construct a road and where we can physically put it,” he said.
“(It will be) the one that attracts heavy trucks and reduces traffic in main street and one that has easy access for the community.”
Several studies to determine the impact the bypass will have on neighbouring properties, native flora and fauna and other factors are under way Mr Kersting said.
The bypass will be a two lane road, similar to the Northern Highway, and VicRoads will acquire enough land to provide for a future duplication of the bypass, should it be required.
“It will be very similar to what we see on the Northern Highway,” Mr Kersting said.
“We try to anticipate what the future requirements are.
“The traffic volume will be consistent with a two-lane highway, with road shoulders etcetera.”
Mr Kersting also responded to claims in last week’s Review by a Kilmore East property owner that she, and a number of neighbours, were not told about the O’Gradys Road option.
“Those who got a letter were likely to be directly affected or those with a direct interface to the road,” he said.
He said letters were sent to people living in the prospective areas who are Mitchell Shire ratepayers and VicRoads had met with concerned residents one on one.
He said those who did not receive a letter were outside of the immediate area but if residents have concerns they can call VicRoads.
Planning applications and permits for the bypass need to be finalised by 2013.
“We want to make sure it’s done properly,” he said
Mr Kersting said help is also available to property owners experiencing issues with the sale of their property since the options map (page 10) was released.
“If people have a genuine need to sell their property they can contact us – we have people who are experts in dealing with properties,” he said.
Mr Kersting said some of the bypass plans should be on display later this month.
See pages 10 and 11.
