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Andrews Labor government all quiet on planning for Traralgon highway bypass

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says it’s critical the Andrews Government accelerates the consultation process for the final planning and design of the long-awaited Traralgon bypass.

By news@gippsland - 22nd September 2021 - Back to News

Mr Chester said local residents and the broader Gippsland community needed greater certainty around the project which would create jobs, reduce congestion in Traralgon, improve road safety and boost productivity. "Four years ago, the Andrews Government committed $1.4 million for a business case to examine the feasibility of constructing a highway bypass around Traralgon but it’s all gone quiet," Mr Chester said.

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said with the final stages of the duplication project to Sale underway it was time to get consultation and design work completed on the Traralgon bypass

Government needs to be completely transparent

Mr Chester said, "There’s so many unanswered questions like ‘is the project viable, what does it cost, is the route finalised, and when would it be built?’ but we hear nothing from the Andrews Government. With the final stages of the duplication project to Sale now underway, it’s time to get the consultation and design work completed on the Traralgon bypass."

"The Andrews Government needs to be completely transparent with the community to allow businesses and affected residents to make long-term decisions. This project has been spoken about for over 30 years, some work has already been done around potential routes, but it’s come to a standstill."

"Although the State Government owns the road, the majority of the funding for a project of this scope would come from the Federal Government and we need to get some numbers in front of the Treasury."

Investing in better transport infrastructure

The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region Melina Bath said the community must be fully consulted on any plans for the Traralgon bypass. "The Andrews Government needs to listen to the community, get the planning done and make a commitment to work with the Commonwealth to fund the project in the future."

"Investing in better transport infrastructure, whether it is highway duplication or a bypass, would greatly improve connectivity and enhance Gippsland’s major transport route. This project is supported by residents concerned with the unsustainable congestion on Traralgon roads which are causing safety issues and impacting liveability. There are many benefits of the project progressing, which is why the Andrews Government must undertake the planning and assess the project." Ms Bath said.

Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Peter Walsh says rapid testing will help Melbourne and regions in Victoria like Gippsland open up and stay open
  Rapid COVID-19 testing as the key to put Victoria back on track.
• Reinstate density limits and not patron caps for safe reopening of regional hospitality venues
  Victorian Government has been urged to reinstate density limits, not patron caps, for the safe reopening of regional hospitality venues
• Regions in Victorians like Gippsland should be released from the seven-day lockdown says Peter Walsh
  Misinformation about the COVID test resulted in the statewide lockdown.
• Applications wanted for second round federal Networks to build drought resilience fund
  Applications for the second round of the Networks to Build Drought Resilience program have now opened.
• Regions in Victoria like Gippsland need a guaranteed positive way forward crippling 18 months of uncertainty and lockdown
  The time has come to guarantee a positive way forward for regional Victorian communities that have been crippled by 18 months of uncertainty and lockdown.
• Regional Victoria out of sixth lockdown but we cannot keep living like this
  Call for the government to roll out the rapid antigen test to protect the people as well as the businesses in Victoria.
• Further support for Gippsland job seekers with the extension of employment facilitator services
  Funding to support and employ local job-seekers and facilitators.
• Run for South Gippsland Shire Council - Find out how to do it
  What you need to know and consider before you become an electoral candidate.
• SEED Lakeside Community Garden creator Shae Wilson gets $59,500 federal grant to support social and emotional health
  SEED Lakeside Community Garden in Sale will benefit from funding from the Federal Government.
• Russell Broadbent's Gippsland school leavers’ guide for those graduating in 2021
  Assistance for graduates to have innovative solutions for their future.
• Restarting arts festivals in West and South Gippsland with Festivals Australia federal program
  Program that supports community participation in, and access to, the arts experience at a festival.
• Repairing Morwell River Diversion for Yallourn mine to ensure energy supply agreed on between Energy Australian and Victorian government
  Works to repair the damage in the Morwell River Diversion (MRD) near the Yallourn coal mine to secure Victoria’s energy supply have been agreed upon between the Victorian Government and Energy Australia.
• Landcare Australia gets bushfire environmental recovery boost of $3.8 million from federal wildlife and habitat recovery for East Gippsland
  Nearly 20 projects in East Gippsland will receive funding to aid the recovery of native wildlife and habitat severely impacted by the 2019/20 black summer bushfires.
• Men’s Sheds for West and East Gippsland get funding to continue improving the local men's health
  Funding granted for more men’s sheds across the region to help them build their connectivity and share their skills.
• Russell Northe calls for pedestrian safety improvements at Grey Street Primary School in Traralgon CBD
  Member for Morwell Russell Northe has used Question Time in Parliament this week to highlight the need for school pedestrian safety improvements in and around Grey Street Primary School which is located in the heart of the Traralgon CBD.
• Nationals alternative roadmap for Victoria and Gippsland to reopen, rebuild and recover out of COVID restrictions delivers certainty and positivity
  Victorians are looking for an iron-clad guarantee on the road to reopen, rebuild and recover.
• Baw Baw Shire Council supports West Gippsland Regional Library transition to not-for-profit
  Endorsing support for West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation to be a not-for-profit organisation.
• Farmers asked to share their views as East Gippsland Agriculture Sector Advisory Committee finalised
  New appointed committee members and farmers survey completion to better assist the agricultural sector.
• Students in regional Victoria such as Gippsland should not have to endure more weeks locked out of the classroom
  Students in regional Victoria should not have to endure more weeks locked out of the classroom.
• Watch for wildlife throughout Gippsland in warmer weather such as Magpies and snakes
  Knowing more about the wildlife and how we can help protect them.
• Exemption to current travel restrictions in South Gippsland available to those needing to carry out summer fire preparation activities
  Travel permit applications that take between 2 - 5 business days to process, if sufficient time is not allowed for processing, this will result in your application being rejected.
• Enter your best photographs for 2022 #lovegippsland calendar competition
  Local MP Darren Chester is encouraging Gippslanders to enter their best photographs in the 2022 #lovegippsland calendar competition.
• Latrobe City Council calls to preserve Lake Narracan following the closure of Yallourn Power Station in 2028
  Latrobe City Council will make a submission to the State Government calling to preserve Lake Narracan’s weir and water levels following the closure of Yallourn Power Station in 2028.
• Archibald Prize 2021 has opened at the Gippsland Art Gallery in Sale for next 45 days
  Archibald Prize opens at Gippsland Art Gallery and portraits featured.
• Latrobe City Council submits to inquiry into impacts of Hazelwood and Yallourn power stations closures
  Latrobe City Council will advocate for greater Government support for the municipality to help the region transition with less power stations.
• Latrobe City calls for input into storm and review of flood response to learn lessons for next time
  Storm and flood clean-up program funded by the government to provide service to property owners affected by storm and flooding without any cost.