WITH the recent floods resulting in the causeway between Shepparton and Mooroopna being cut, up to 30,000 drivers each day were prevented from crossing the Goulburn River, isolating thousands while causing havoc to communities and businesses alike.
With renewed vigor, politicians and community members have once again turned their attention to the crucial Shepparton Bypass which would provide the two townships with a second river crossing and remove freight and through traffic from CBDs.
With the previous Federal coalition Government committing $208M to the bypass development, leader of The Nationals, David Littleproud announced on Thursday, November 17 that his party had forced the federal Labor government to honour the funding.
“With the federal funding guaranteed and a funding commitment from the Victorian Nationals and Liberals we can get to work under a state coalition government,” Mr Littleproud said.
Federal member for Nicholls Sam Birrell said The Nationals were committed to stage one of the project and was proud to have pressured Labor into matching the previous coalition Government’s commitment.
“Locals have fought for this bypass for decades and we are fighting to get it delivered,” Mr Birrell said.
Echoing the vital need for the bypass, Valley Pack cold storage operations manager, Taylor Hall said the bypass would ease traffic and provide a much safer route around town.
“We have just one river crossing, and we are the main intersection between two main freight networks. This bypass is critical to the amenity of the town.”
