By Jackson Russell
Land acquisitions for the southern portion of a Kilmore bypass can now proceed following a unanimous vote by Mitchell Shire councillors.
Regional Roads Victoria can now advance the land aqusition of land on the bypass route, from the Wandong Road-Northern Highway intersection through to the intersection of the proposed bypass and Willowmavin Road.
The councillors voted to support the introduction of a Public Acquisition Overlay into the Mitchell Planning Scheme as part of the bypass project.
The two options for the northern portion of the bypass are still being considered.
South ward councillor Rob Eldridge said he fully supported the approach.
“The bypass has been going on forever and I fully support this approach because we haven’t been able to move forward with public acquisitions,” he said.
“This allows us to start acquisitions south of Willowmavin Road. Like the public, we’re sick of delays and want to get this moving. Hopefully it’s the beginning of the end.”
Central ward councillor Bob Humm agreed with Cr Eldridge.
“At least this gets the process underway and we can start to lock things in. Hopefully people on the north side will know what’s happening soon too,” he said.
Regional Roads Victoria intends to consult with affected landowners and invite submissions that identify any material change since the original Environmental Effects Statement process in 2014.
The northern route of the bypass will be decided after formal consultation by Regional Roads Victoria with affected landowners, council, relevant authorities including Goulburn Valley Water and other key agencies.
During the formal exhibition period, council will be asked to provide a submission as to which route it would support.
Once the process is completed, a formal decision will be made and another public acquisition overlay will be introduced for land north of Willowmavin Road.
