The future of the Kilmore Bypass continues to be a topic of conversation across the local community, with delays and a lack of transparency leaving residents frustrated and unsure of what is to come.
The Kilmore Bypass project has been in the works for a decade, first announced as an election commitment by The Nationals in 2014. The bypass aims to relieve traffic congestion and reduce the number of heavy vehicles driving through the main streets of Kilmore.
Despite continuously allocating money towards the project in recent state budget papers, as things stand, the bypass is only regarded as a “planning project” with “no plans for construction” according to the Department of Transport and Planning.
Community members have long been supportive of the project, primarily due to the impact of congestion, air pollution, and safety concerns brought upon by the heavy vehicle traffic going through the Kilmore streets.
Nationals MP Annabelle Cleeland said she has been receiving messages about the future of the bypass from concerned locals non-stop since being elected in 2022, and that it was frustrating to see progress stagnate.
Ms Cleeland has continued to reach out to ministers regarding the project, but said it was difficult to get a straight answer as to whether construction would ever begin.
Ms Cleeland was joined by Leader of The Nationals, Danny O’Brien, in Kilmore this week to discuss the lack of progress for the bypass, and the impact it continued to have on the local community.
Quotes from Annabelle Cleeland:
“Year after year, funding is being allocated to the Kilmore Bypass, yet there still remains no credible timeline for construction.
“This is a project that has long been advocated for by the Kilmore community, and one that needs to happen immediately.
“Quite frankly the Kilmore community is sick of the excuses. How can the West Gate Tunnel, a project expected to cost well over $10 billion, take just two years to plan while a simple yet essential piece of regional infrastructure takes nearly 10 years to buy just two plots of land?”
“The liveability of the town is being put at risk. You can’t even cross Sydney Street, the air quality is horrendous, and the roads have deteriorated as heavy traffic continues to pass through the town.
Quotes from Danny O’Brien:
“Despite this area being earmarked as a major growth area by this government, Labor has failed to effectively invest in critical local infrastructure projects like the Kilmore Bypass.
“Last year’s budget saw the expected completion of land acquisition for the bypass blow out by another year, with the previous Minister using the excuse of ‘planning work’ for this lengthy delay.
“These delays have left property owners in a state of limbo as they remain unaware if their land will be acquired as part of the project. Meanwhile, property values in the region have stalled, and local roads suffer from massive congestion.
“Under the Allan Labor Government, Victoria’s net debt is growing by more than $80 million a day and is set to reach a record $187.8 billion by 2027-28, with interest repayments to exceed $1 million an hour over the same period.
“Labor’s inability to manage finances is preventing critical projects like the Kilmore Bypass from being delivered and regional Victorians are paying the price.”
