MEMBER for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland and the Liberal–Nationals Coalition made a major election commitment last week, confirming that if they win the November state election, they will build the Kilmore bypass.
In front of a packed crowd at Mac’s Pub, Ms Cleeland made the announcement alongside Danny O’Brien, the Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and Brad Rowswell, the Shadow Minister for Education.
She announced the commitment by saying: “Labor has governed for 21 years of the last 25, that is why our region has been neglected for far too long. So today I am proud to announce that the Liberals and Nationals government will build the Kilmore Bypass.”
“We will acquire the land and deliver stage one, we will get heavy trucks off Sydney Street. About damn time you say,” she said.
“This is about reviving our beautiful region, this is about allowing businesses to invest again and to grow and flourish and not have generational iconic businesses across the road having to close cause they can’t get a park and the community can’t be supported.”
The pledge joins the proposed Kilmore public high school on the Coalition’s list of commitments for the region.
Mr O’Brien reflected on the Coalition’s previous bypass promises, which did not result in construction, but praised Ms Cleeland for her advocacy for the region.
“It’s a bit of a sad thing to say that I was here 12 years ago with Steph Ryan,” he said.
“But it’s been 12 years of Labor neglecting this community and it’s taken Annabelle’s work, to ensure this community is recognised when it comes to the school, the police or whether it’s the bypass.”
The announcement drew many community members, including several Mitchell Shire councillors, who were pleased to see a commitment to one of council’s five key election priorities.
Mayor Councillor John Dougall welcomed the announcement, saying it was good to see progress on the five priorities.
“We’ve been advocating hard on all these five. We’ve got the announcement on the secondary high school in Kilmore recently, about three weeks ago. And now we have a second tick in terms of the Kilmore bypass. So we’re making progress,” Cr Dougall said.
“Thanks to the Liberal-National coalition, I think it is a really good outcome so far.”
The bypass has been a recurring election issue, with promises dating back to the Kennett government.
The Coalition also promised the project during its 2010–2014 term, with a $130 million pledge to build the Kilmore–Wallan bypass. More recently, the Andrews government allocated $20 million for land reservation.
The project remains in the planning and land acquisition phase, with the proposed route starting at the new Northern Highway roundabout, running around the western side of Kilmore and finishing between Costellos Road and Willowmavin Road.
Whether this latest pledge will result in construction remains to be a viewing for the future.
