The Minister for Roads & Road Safety has confirmed the Kilmore bypass has not progressed, with no additional land being acquired since the last update provided by the Department of Transport in June of 2022.
Responding to a questions from local MP Annabelle Cleeland the Minister confirmed no business case had been completed, no further land had been acquired and no full costings completed on the project.
Ms Cleeland said it was essential the May budget showed progress.
“The budget is now just two months away. We need to see this land acquisition process back on track immediately,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Last year’s budget showed another year of delay in bypass progression, there is no excuse for this occurring again.
“To be standing here after eight years in government and to not have completed a business case or costed the bypass is laughable.
“The Andrews Government is happy to progress metro infrastructure with no business cases and complete complex planning procedures in an incredibly short period of time when it suits their electoral needs.
“Sadly, this government continually ignores regional Victorians – nothing is more symptomatic of this than the Kilmore bypass.”
The Mitchell Shire Council has also communicated the Kilmore Bypass is a top budget priority.
“The Mitchell Shire is pushing the government to get off their hands and do something, after so much inaction,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Everyone here is on a unity ticket. This is an essential piece of regional infrastructure that needs to be built for the safety and wellbeing of the Kilmore community.
“Whether its senior bureaucrats or the Minister herself, it seems people behind a desk in Melbourne are the only ones standing in the way of action.
“I’m incredibly passionate about this project and I’ll be scrutinising this year’s budget heavily. We need this government to align their priorities with what regional people desperately need.”
