WITH Victoria heading towards a crucial state election, across the next five weeks the North Central Review will be counting down our top five areas in desperate need of attention within the shire.
#3 The Kilmore Bypass
A topic of discussion for over decades of time within Kilmore and the surrounding areas.
The main street of Kilmore to this day remains a headache for road users, due to the influx of large trucks and heavy machinery that pass through the town every single day.
It not only has affected the towns ability to flow, but also impacted the quality of the road throughout Sydney Street which is starting to leave motorists furious.
According to Labor’s Budget Paper No. 4, they have spent $28.193 million on the Kilmore Bypass with an additional $5.476 expected by the end of financial year which adds to $33 million in total.
These figures are astounding, and frustrating community members who want to see transparency and have a genuine update on the bypass instead of constant neglect.
Back in 2014, an alignment west of Kilmore and Wallan was confirmed as the preferred option which wraps around Kilmore on the western side, starting from the newly built roundabout on the Northern Highway, and finishing near Costellos Road on the other side of Kilmore.
In September 2024, the Minister for Planning approved an amendment to the Mitchell Planning Scheme.
The assessment process showed Option B (west side) had the least overall impact, and, as a result, this option has been determined as the preferred alignment for the northern connection and was approved in September 2024.
But ever since, the project seems to have hit a roadblock, which is a scene far to familiar for Mitchell Shire residents.
The Review contacted the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, but couldn’t receive direct comments, instead hearing from a governments spokesperson who claim they are still planning for the Kilmore Bypass.
“We’re continuing to plan for a bypass of Kilmore, including exploring future funding opportunities and reserving land.”
“We’ll work with impacted landowners and stakeholders through the area as this project progresses, and keep the community informed with any key developments.”
Federal Member for Nicholls, Sam Birrell, said that Kilmore’s growing population deserves better.
“Kilmore already has a significant traffic problem which is why it is a high-priority project for Mitchell Shire Council. The projections for population growth over coming decades demonstrates why a bypass is needed; Kilmore cannot continue to grow with yesterday’s road network.” he said.
“Key link roads within the township are urgently needed as a first step in a coordinated package of infrastructure investment.
“Internal link roads can give residents access to shops, schools and community facilities and remove traffic from already congested main roads.
“While these projects will ease congestion and increase connectivity they won’t divert through traffic including heavy vehicles which is why state and federal governments need to progress the Kilmore Bypass which has languished for too long.”
In November 2025, the Mitchell Shire council released a list of its most in demand projects and the Bypass sat on it, yet after many years of neglect and ‘planning’ from state government officials, community members are fed up with the main road.
“The Kilmore Bypass is one of Mitchell Shire Council’s five priorities for the 2026 State Election and has been a long-standing priority for Council and the Kilmore community,” Mayor Councillor John Dougall said.
“The bypass would remove heavy freight traffic from Kilmore’s town centre, provide a more efficient freight route along the Northern Highway corridor and help revitalise Kilmore’s historic main street.”
“Important early stages have been completed, including selection of the route alignment and the introduction of the Public Acquisition Overlay. Construction of the Northern Highway and Epping-Kilmore Road roundabout is also underway.”
“The lead-up to the State election is a critical opportunity for all parties and candidates to commit to the next stage of the project and provide certainty for the Kilmore community.”
State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland believes it’s Kilmore turn for some investment who have been the governments second thought.
“Townships like Kilmore have been neglected for far too long. Walk down the main street and you’ll see the cost of Labor’s neglect”
“We’re investigating all options to make Kilmore a thriving town again — for businesses, for families, with infrastructure that actually matches the size of a township that’s been neglected under Labor for too long. As your State Member, I’ll keep fighting for the infrastructure this township needs, and that includes the Kilmore bypass.”
The Bypass’s importance will grow the closer we get to November for the State election, but will it be more empty promises, or will there be some real action?
