The Department of Transport and Planning has confirmed its preferred alignment for the Kilmore bypass, with the route now rejoining the Northern Highway just north of Willomavin Road.
While there are no plans for the State Government to fund the bypass, the department will progress to the next stages of the planning process.
The department had considered two options north of Kilmore, but the location of Goulburn Valley Water’s wastewater treatment plant on Costellos Road presented issues.
The original alignment travelled close to the wastewater treatment plant and rejoined the Northern Highway at the roundabout with Kilmore-Broadford Road, while the new option is further south of the plant – closer to Kilmore’s industrial businesses.
The department endorsed the preferred new alignment after assessments showed the route had the least overall impact on the area.
The new route travels in an easterly direction from near Kings Lane, with the new east-west road to be constructed just north of Willowmavin Road. It would rejoin with the existing Northern Highway, north of the Mustad Australia and the Anvill Avenue industrial estate.
A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said stakeholders had been advised of the decision to alter the northern alignment of the Kilmore Bypass.
The Review understands affected landowners have been contacted in regard to the compulsory acquisition of affected land.
“A project of this size and complexity requires in-depth planning and an extensive approval process, which will continue before construction funding is considered and start and completion dates are determined,” the department spokesperson said.
Department of Transport and Planning Hume acting regional director Emma Bamford said the department was striving to get the project right.
“Planning for the growth of our regional areas is important and we need to make sure we get it right,” she said.
“We thank the Kilmore community for their patience as we continue to progress through the planning stages.”
Regional Roads Victoria, RRV, is also continuing to plan for a roundabout at the intersection of the Northern Highway and Epping-Kilmore Road, also known as Wandong Road, four kilometres south of Kilmore.
Discussions on a bypass date back 35-plus years, but the first official commitment was by the Kennett government in 1999.
Since then, Labor Transport Minister Peter Batchelor announced a study in 2006, followed by the Coalition committing $130 million in 2010 and potential routes narrowed from six to three in 2013.
The impacts of the routes, considering noise, biodiversity, landscape, visual amenity, land use, regional economy, social factors, and cultural heritage, were taken into account.
In 2015, the western option, shown in blue on the map, was confirmed and the 2018-19 State Budget allocated $20 million to progress land acquisition for the first stage.
- Are you an affected landowner? The Review would like to speak to any property owners affected by the proposed Kilmore bypass route.
Email news@ncreview.com.au or call the office on 5734 3344.
