Following extensive consultation with the communities of Wandong and Heathcote Junction, the Andrews Labor Government confirms that Stage 2 of the proposed Kilmore Wallan Bypass will not proceed.
Earlier this year, the Labor Government announced $750,000 to finalise the planning requirements and business case for the bypass Stage 1 to improve the amenity of Kilmore’s town centre and remove many large vehicles from Sydney Street, this work is ongoing and affected land holders are involved in this process.
Stage 1 will see the new bypass connect with the intersections on the Northern Highway at the Broadford-Kilmore Road and Epping-Kilmore Road and join with Lancefield Road, re-routing heavy traffic around the town centre.
The selection of the ‘Western Route’ bypass option followed the 2015 report from the Advisory Committee and the Planning Minister’s Assessment of the Environmental Effects Statement (ESS) Inquiry. The complete bypass (stage 2) proposes an extension from the Northern Highway / Epping Kilmore Road intersection to the Hume Freeway at Wandong.
The Planning Minister approved the route but noted that the impacts of the redesign of the Hume Freeway interchange at Wandong were not fully addressed by the EES, and the Minister requested further work be completed.
Last year an independent review initiated by the Labor Upper House Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes and undertaken by independent consultants RMCG, examined the Wandong and Heathcote Junction communities concerns about the bypass connecting to the Hume Freeway via the Wandong interchange.
After significant community feedback the Government has reconsidered stage two of the Kilmore Wallan Bypass and will not be proceeding at this time.
There has been significant population growth in the Mitchell Shire and the Labor Government is planning for the future of the region by developing businesses cases to re-route heavy vehicles from Sydney Street Kilmore, introducing southern ramps at the Watson Street interchange in Wallan and duplication of the Northern Highway between the Hume Freeway and Watson Street, Wallan.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan
“The Andrews Labor Government knows that Kilmore residents want trucks out of Sydney Street and we are getting this done.”
“We’re working with Mitchell Shire residents to plan the roads their communities need for the future.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“While the former Liberal-National Government announced they had fully funded the Kilmore-Wallan Western Route Bypass, the facts are they left Government with inadequate planning and zero dollars for this project.”
“We have listened to local residents and will continue to work with them in delivering the road projects that deliver better amenity and reduced congestion as well as improved access to get road users where they need to be and home sooner.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020