Budget go-ahead for bypass

By Kath Gannaway
WORK on the long-awaited Yarra Glen Bypass will start early next year.
The project, which has been mooted for more than 20 years, got the go-ahead last week when the State Government included its $9 million share of the cost in the Budget.
The announcement was welcomed by the various stakeholders after huge controversy last year when the project missed out on being funded in the State Budget.
The state’s contribution completes the funding trifecta with $5.5 million from the Federal Government and $500,000 from Shire of Yarra Ranges allocated more than a year ago.
The project will see 1.4 kilometres of new road built between the Healesville-Yarra Glen Road and the Old Healesville Road bypassing the Yarra Glen Township.
Announcing the funding in Yarra Glen last week, Minister for Roads and Ports Tim Pallas and Seymour MP Ben Hardman hailed it as a win for residents, tourism and business.
More than 9000 vehicles use the Melba Highway each day and almost 13 per cent are trucks.
“The Yarra Glen Truck Bypass Project will provide a more efficient alternative route for commercial and freight traffic, taking it away from the town centre,” Mr Pallas said.
Mr Hardman said the funding was good news for the community and congratulated community groups, which had pushed for it.
“It’s been a project this community has wanted for a very long time,” he said.
“It will be good for the township, especially during the busy times and will improve the amenity of the town for residents and for visitors.”
Chamber of Commerce president Marjorie Woollands was excited and relieved when told by the Mail of the $9million win less than an hour after the Budget was announced on Tuesday.
“That’s just wonderful … excellent … good news,” Ms Woollands said, clearly relieved after a year of intense lobbying.
“I was going to make such a fuss if we didn’t get it,” she said.
“We were fearful we would lose the federal money if it didn’t come through this time.
“It’s what the chamber has been fighting for and what we have been working through Ben (Hardman) to make sure we didn’t miss out again.”
Ms Woollands said with the bypass now assured, planning could begin on a new landscape plan for the town’s main street – Bell Street.
“With the extra 90 or so car parking spaces associated with the new supermarket and a pleasant streetscape it has to be good for the future of Yarra Glen,” she said.
Shire of Yarra Ranges Ryrie Ward councillor Jeanette McRae said the funding would address a town which was split in two by the more than 1000 heavy vehicles which went through the centre of town, as well as alleviating traffic congestion, noise and air pollution.
“The shire is delighted that, following strong advocacy from Ben Hardman, the State Government has followed through on its earlier commitment to support the project,” Cr McRae said.
“Together with the $5.5 million secured by (McEwen MP) Fran Bailey through the Auslink Program and the shire’s own $500,000 contribution towards environment and landscaping improvements, the bypass can proceed beyond design stage.”