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Meeting With Roads MinisterThe Minister for Roads, Tim Pallas, met with Bass Coast Shire Council during his visit to Bass Coast on Friday 29 May 2009 By Bass Coast Shire Council - 3rd June 2009 - Back to News The meeting took place at the Civic Centre in Wonthaggi and was attended by councillors and senior officers, including the Mayor, Cr John Duscher and Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden.
Mr Bawden said the Minister had made a commitment to visit Bass Coast, after a meeting in December last year.
"This meeting was an opportunity to highlight some of the major issues we are facing," Mr Bawden explained.
"We had an open and frank discussion. The Minister offered to meet with Council again later in the year, to see how VicRoads and Council were progessing with the issues raised during the meeting."
Wonthaggi Town entrance
Council has called on the State Government to increase VicRoads funding for the project, which is currently $193,000
"The total project cost is approximately $3 million and we feel the level of VicRoads funding is inadequate," said Mr Bawden.
"Our community is sharing a greater portion of the cost for this project than is necessary and we asked the Minister to increase its funding, but he made it clear that was not possible."
Bass Highway
Council welcomed the Minister’s announcement of funding for Stage 7 of the Bass Highway duplication.
"We are pleased that the highway duplication is continuing, however we do have concerns about some aspects of the Stage 7 design," confirmed Mr Bawden.
The proposed T-intersection raises some real road safety concerns, particularly for traffic coming from Phillip Island and travelling towards Wonthaggi.
"Anyone travelling from the Island would have to turn right across the flow of traffic, which could be extremely difficult during events and over summer.
"We talked to the Minister about a separated interchange and future plans for Phillip Island Road.
"The Minister indicated that under VicRoads’ criteria, grade separation would not be warranted for many years."
The state of the Bass Highway beyond the Anderson roundabout was also discussed.
"Council has asked for a plan for duplicate the highway through to Inverloch," confirmed Mr Bawden.
"In the interim, work needs to be done on the highway to provide some overtaking opportunities and safety improvements at Kilcunda.
"With the huge increase in traffic expected with the desalination plant construction, overtaking lanes will be very important."
"In addition, we need to improve pedestrian safety at Kilcunda and Dalyston," Mr Bawden continued.
"The highway needs overpasses or central traffic island refuges to allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross.
"Safe pedestrian crossing facilities are an issue for many of our arterial roads, not just the highway and we discussed this with the Minister as well."
Broader issues such as increased funding for the maintenance of arterial roads in regional areas and the Koo Wee Rup town bypass were also on the agenda.
"It was a good opportunity to have a discussion with the Minister and for him to see for himself some of the issues we are facing," said Mr Bawden.
"The Minister was very open to our concerns and encouraged VicRoads to work with Council to resolve our issues, in particular planning for the future traffic and transport needs of our growing community.
"He has agreed to meet with us in six month’s time to discuss progress."
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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