By Natasha Fujimoto & Stephanie Holliday
FOR over 20 years the Shepparton Bypass project has been persistently pushed by local parliamentary members, as well as council, advocacy and community groups, transport industry members and the wider community. In 2019, the Federal Government announced it would commit to providing $208M in funding towards stage one of the project.
The project has now been placed on hold, with the Victorian budget and the Federal Government’s comments indicating the existing funding is at risk.
Nationals Member for Shepparton, Kim O’Keeffe, and Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell MP, have slammed the move.
In pointing out that the regional development budget has again been cut, halved from $211.5M to $106.6M in this year’s State Budget, Ms Okeeffe added, “Since 2020, the regional development budget has been slashed by 80 per cent as a result of the Andrews Labor Government. We need to see the Federal and State Government work together in collaboration to deliver critical infrastructure projects in regional Victoria such as the Shepparton Bypass.”
Concurring with Ms O’Keeffe, Ms Lovell said, “The failure of the treasurer to commit funding in the budget towards stage one of the Shepparton Bypass Project, particularly in the wake of the recent floods that showed the urgent need for a second river crossing between Shepparton and Mooroopna, is inexcusable.”
Shepparton Bypass Action Group chair Peter Johnson expressed frustration at the setback.
“We’re very disappointed, we have been seriously let down by the Victorian Government,” said Mr Johnson.
“The lack of funding puts the whole project in jeopardy. We’re going to need either a change of heart from the government or a change of government for this much-needed project to come to fruition.
“However, the Bypass Action Group remains positive about the project’s ultimate future, and together with Greater Shepparton City Council and the Committee For Greater Shepparton, we will continue to campaign and fight for this project.”
