WITH the State Budget set to be handed down next month, a cloud sits over key priority projects like the Shepparton Bypass. Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell, has called for the State Government to fund stage one of the bypass in the 24/25 Budget, highlighting Labor’s continuing failure to act and the need for infrastructure investment, particularly following the release of the Shepparton South East Precinct Structure Plan.
The bypass remains in limbo after the Federal Government, “decided not to pursue the Shepparton Bypass further,” under the Federal Government’s Infrastructure Review, leaving the ball in the State Government’s court.
However, in response to Ms Lovell, the Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson blamed the stalled project on the Albanese Government. Ms Lovell said that concerningly, the Minister’s reply referred to Doyles Road as a “key north-south corridor” that “forms part of the Principal Freight Network,” indicating that he expects it to remain the only Alternative Route for heavy vehicles in Shepparton into the foreseeable future.
The Precinct Plan aims to build 2,500 new homes, along with shops, a community centre and a new primary school. Ms Lovell said this is alarming because the Precinct Structure Plan requires a pedestrian crossing on Doyles Road to serve new residents and school children, which is part of the Shepparton Alternative Route for heavy freight vehicles.
“The Shepparton Bypass is a critical infrastructure project for the safe and efficient movement of freight trucks in Victoria, and the State Government must take responsibility for delivering this project,” said Ms Lovell.
“Labor is throwing $216 billion at the Suburban Rail Loop, but won’t commit to funding the Shepparton Bypass. Just one per cent of that money ($2.16B) would fund stage one of the Shepparton Bypass, the redevelopment of the Shepparton basketball stadium, complete the redevelopment of Goulburn Valley Health and Clinical Health School, and build an underground pedestrian crossing at Kialla West Primary School.”
