Response to ‘Bypass fairytale’ (11/02/25)
Dear Editor,
I wonder if Brian Mawhinney will send me a bill one day. I’ve been living rent-free in his head for so long that even after moving years ago to Traralgon, he still fixates on rewriting history—this time about the Kilmore-Wallan Bypass.
Mr Mawhinney knows full well it was in fact the Liberal Party that in 2010 promised the bypass.
He was there. He proudly stood for a photograph for this newspaper, alongside then-Liberal State MP Donna Petrovich and Liberal Leader Ted Baillieu at the Wallan Free Mechanics Institute, celebrating their $130 million promise.
He even featured on a Liberal flyer distributed through Kilmore and Wallan, to sell the commitment.
That ‘commitment’ turned out to be nothing more than three route options—one of which proposed running the road through Monument Hill. An empty promise to have it started by 2013 and finished by 2017.
Many residents will remember the massive Liberal billboards declaring ‘WALLAN-KILMOREBYPASS FULLY FUNDED!’—only to discover that less than $10 million had been allocated for a project costed at $130 million.
As a regular Liberal campaigner, Mr Mawhinney is duty-bound to ignore that neither State nor Federal Labor has ever promised a bypass.
What we have promised—and has been fully funded—is the Wallan Ramps project, which will soon begin construction.
Mr Mawhinney conveniently overlooks that his Liberal-National friends never delivered on the firm promise he once enthusiastically promoted. Also happily forgotten is that ‘Wallan’ has been dropped from the latest version of the plan, now rebranded as the ‘Kilmore Bypass’ which still funnels traffic through Wallan.
And let’s not forget, during their nearly 10 years in power, the Federal Liberal-National Government did nothing for McEwen. They did promise $50 million for the Hume Highway but failed to deliver that too.
If Mr Mawhinney is confused about responsibility, perhaps he should take the word of former Liberal MP Fran Bailey, who wrote to The Free Press in 2006 stating that this project “is not on the national register,” and was the responsibility of the State Government.
From his distant Gippsland perch, Mr Mawhinney is entitled to be anti-Labor, but he should at least be honest with the facts.
Rob Mitchell
Member for McEwen
Cost-of-living crisis is a crisis
Dear Editor,
A recent survey found that almost 50 per cent of the population has less than $1000 in their bank account, at any one time.
The same survey also found that over 75 per cent of those surveyed were currently facing ‘financial stress’. Effectively living from pay cheque to pay cheque.
A recipe for disaster should an emergency arise. No wonder mental health issues in our society are on the rise.
Michael J Gamble
Footpath problem persists
Dear Editor,
The rear carpark entry to ALDI in Seymour (from Bishop Street) has the same footpath problem that has been highlighted in Kilmore and the front entrance from Tallarook Street has no footpath at all. Dodging car park traffic is unpleasant and dangerous for all pedestrians and especially for disabled persons such as myself. Any chance of a fix?
Phillip Chandler
Broadford
Kilmore is just a drive-through
Dear Editor,
Recently driving through Kilmore once again on our holiday, and stopped at Hudson Park for a toilet break. Enjoyed the park but thought how nice it would be if Kilmore had a small lake or large duck pond in the park for people to enjoy, along with the ducks!
The creek could have a diversion to the middle of the park and back to the creek again so as there was a flow, and a few seats around would be welcoming and enjoyable.
As it is, a toilet break is all it seems to be used for. No one stays a while or walks down the main street, maybe spend some money there. Although there does not seem to be much to entice a walk in the street with all the traffic and huge trucks, I must say!
Hence, Woodend, Kyneton, and Bendigo are where people head. Pubs, cafes, restaurants, and antique shops. That’s where we all spend our money.
It’s a shame, no foresight or innovation. Kilmore will always be a drive-through.
Janice
Camberwell
The blame game
Dear Editor,
Here we go again. The blame game’s back on.
On the radio airwaves [recently], Premier Jacinta Allan once again blamed floods for the shocking state of our regional roads.
Driving around regional Victoria last week, I was genuinely shocked—again—at the potholes and crumbling surfaces, and it is ridiculous to continually blame rain events.
Victorians already pay some of the highest vehicle registration fees in the country.
So, where’s that money going?
Memo Premier Allan: Forget the excuses and just get on with fixing potholes.
Enough is enough. It’s time for real action to fix our roads and restore safety, not more Labor political spin.
Labor can’t manage roads and regional Victorians are paying the price.
Danny O’Brien MP
Leader of The Nationals
Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety
