Community ‘should shape bypass’

By Kath Gannaway
YARRA Glen residents are being encouraged to take an interest in the shape of the Yarra Glen Bypass.
A Community News Update released by the Yarra Glen and District Township Group identifies a number of issues discussed at the meeting and calls for wide community consultation.
The meeting involved VicRoads, Shire of Yarra Ranges, YG&DTG members and a number of residents from the broader community.
YG&DTG president Malcolm Calder said the plan had been on the books for at least 40 years with the current proposal having been developed over the past decade.
That proposal involved bringing northbound traffic on the Melba Highway over the new Vasey Houghton Bridge where a roundabout would direct traffic on to the Healesville-Yarra Glen Road.
A new road would then link up with the Melba Highway at the Old Healesville Road intersection.
Mr Calder said a number of issues and questions were raised with a strong emphasis being placed on the importance of involving the whole community during the planning stage and taking advantage of the strong pool of local knowledge which exists.
Some of the questions and concerns raised were:
• Would the proposed by-pass remove heavy traffic from Bell Street?
• Will it be mandated for truck and B-Double use?
• Concerns over air pollution, noise and negative amenity for nearby residents.
• The need for pedestrian access to the Recreation Reserve and the Yarra River.
• How VicRoads intends to consult and communicate with the community.
One of the vital issues is the likely impact of the by-pass on the movement of heavy freight vehicles making their way to the Western Ring Road through Christmas Hills.
The opportunity for long-awaited landscaping of Bell Street to enhance the township for local residents and visitors was another issue, which needs to be addressed.
Mr Calder said VicRoads had advised there was no allocation in the bypass budget for these works, however, it was stated that Bell Street (the section of Melba Highway which goes through the town centre) would remain a VicRoads responsibility.
Mr Calder said after decades of waiting, and with $14,500,000 allocated from Federal, State and local government, it is imperative that the by-pass meets the needs of the Yarra Glen community now and into the future.
The community newsletter detailing the issues is available at the Yarra Glen newsagency, Hoogies Hardware and at the Post Office.
With surveyors already working on the project, and construction tipped to start early next year, Mr Calder said community input was vital.