A petition calling for the state and federal governments to work together on the proposed Princes Highway by-pass in Traralgon has begun collecting signatures in the region.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and State Member for Morwell Martin Cameron have joined forces to kick-start progress on the long-awaited project.
Both MPs have launched a petition and spoken in their respective Parliaments about the long delays caused by congestion in the region’s largest town.
“With 15 intersections involving roundabouts and traffic lights, it now takes at least 15-20 minutes get through town and that can be much worse on long weekends and school holidays,” Mr Chester said.
“Providing a Traralgon by-pass would reduce congestion, improve safety and productivity, increase liveability for locals and boost the visitor economy in Gippsland. It would also create jobs during the major construction phase.
“There are well recognised social, economic and environmental benefits to be achieved in delivering this road transport project as a matter of urgency.
“Now the full duplication to Sale has been completed, the next highest road transport infrastructure project in our region is to by-pass Traralgon.”
Mr Cameron said the congestion was impacting the liveability of the region’s largest town and productivity of the transport sector, also making it difficult for drivers to make it to and from Melbourne with required rest breaks.
“The Traralgon bypass has long been identified as a priority project that is required to remove heavy vehicles and through traffic from the increasingly busy Traralgon town centre,” Mr Cameron said.
“As freight volume grows it is becoming an increasing point of delay and the impacts upon the amenity of Traralgon are increasing. We are sick of hearing excuses from the State Government.
“We need to see some money on the table to finalise designs and the approvals process to get this project moving. This is an issue which has been talked about for more than 30 years while the congestion and safety issues continue to increase in Traralgon.”
Both MPs believe there are potential disaster resilience benefits associated with a well-designed bypass.
A study undertaken by the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority in 2016 recommended that the construction of a retarding basin upstream, where the proposed bypass is planned, would also form a crucial element in mitigating floods which emanate from the Traralgon Creek.
The Federal Coalition promised $5 million to assist the design work prior to the election but the Albanese Government has refused to match the commitment.
“The Labor Party at state and federal level has stone-walled the bypass project and keep making excuses for their abysmal lack of progress,” Mr Chester said.
“This petition calls on the the House of Representatives to work with the Victorian Government to prioritise funding to finalise the design, approvals and costings with an aim to commence construction and deliver a Traralgon bypass on the Princes Highway by 2030.”
Mr Cameron said the petition was one way to demonstrate community support for the project.
“We need to build momentum and demonstrate the community supports our efforts to improve safety on the Princes Highway with the bypass the next big project for the region,” Mr Cameron said.
“It would create jobs and future-proof our major transport link.”
The petition is available for signing at the offices of Mr Chester and Mr Cameron in Sale, Traralgon and Morwell.
