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Desal Upgrade For Lower Powlett RoadThe Victorian Government has agreed to fund a $12 million upgrade to roads in Wonthaggi to deal with increased traffic due to the desalination plant. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 21st April 2009 - Back to News Bass Coast Shire Council will undertake the work but will be fully reimbursed once the project is completed.
Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden, said that although Council remained opposed to the desalination plant, they had lobbied for the upgrade.
"We are all aware of the immense impact this project will have on our community and one of the biggest issues will be the huge increase in traffic generated by the construction," Mr Bawden explained.
"It is imperative that the local community is not disadvantaged by this and we believe it is important that work gets underway as quickly as possible."
Mayor, Cr John Duscher, supported the call for the work to take place as soon as possible.
"Lower Powlett Road will have to deal with the brunt of the traffic," said Cr Duscher.
"This upgrade is essential for the safety of road users and to keep inconvenience to our residents and visitors to a minimum."
Construction will also include some work on the intersection of Lower Powlett Road and Bass Highway. This will improve the capacity to handle increased truck traffic. The work will complement the reconstruction of White Road between Lower Powlett and South Dudley Roads which Council is about to begin.
"We want the upgrade completed before work starts on the actual construction of the plant later this year."
Mr Bawden said that Webb Road, West Area Road and the intersection with Graham Street would probably see increased traffic as a result of the desalination plant, so they will also be upgraded.
"Although Webb and West Area Roads will not be used by trucks travelling to the site, upgrading these roads will take some pressure off Lower Powlett Road," explained Mr Bawden.
The private company who will build and operate the desalination plant is expected to be announced in the later half of this year. Construction of the plant will begin by the end of 2009.
Bass Coast Shire Council will undertake the work but will be fully reimbursed once the project is completed.
Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden, said that although Council remained opposed to the desalination plant, they had lobbied for the upgrade.
"We are all aware of the immense impact this project will have on our community and one of the biggest issues will be the huge increase in traffic generated by the construction," Mr Bawden explained.
"It is imperative that the local community is not disadvantaged by this and we believe it is important that work gets underway as quickly as possible."
Mayor, Cr John Duscher, supported the call for the work to take place as soon as possible.
"Lower Powlett Road will have to deal with the brunt of the traffic," said Cr Duscher.
"This upgrade is essential for the safety of road users and to keep inconvenience to our residents and visitors to a minimum."
Construction will also include some work on the intersection of Lower Powlett Road and Bass Highway. This will improve the capacity to handle increased truck traffic. The work will complement the reconstruction of White Road between Lower Powlett and South Dudley Roads which Council is about to begin.
"We want the upgrade completed before work starts on the actual construction of the plant later this year."
Mr Bawden said that Webb Road, West Area Road and the intersection with Graham Street would probably see increased traffic as a result of the desalination plant, so they will also be upgraded.
"Although Webb and West Area Roads will not be used by trucks travelling to the site, upgrading these roads will take some pressure off Lower Powlett Road," explained Mr Bawden.
The private company who will build and operate the desalination plant is expected to be announced in the later half of this year. Construction of the plant will begin by the end of 2009.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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