Thursday, 21 March 2024

Traralgon bypass

Martin CAMERON (Morwell) (17:20): (603) My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Planning, and the action I seek is a review of coal-related planning provisions in my electorate. The current overlays, which are more than 40 years old, are outdated and are preventing progress on the much-anticipated Traralgon bypass. There are currently 10 sets of traffic lights in Traralgon, and the entire town has become a choke point. Anyone who travels through Traralgon, particularly at peak times, will tell you it is a nightmare for residents and businesses. The project has been spoken about for decades, but planning has stalled because the state government has declared there will not be a bypass until Loy Yang power station is rehabilitated, something which is at least 20 ‍years away. That is not good enough. Coal overlays need to be reassessed and, if appropriate, part of the land needs to be rezoned so we can get on with delivering the bypass, which is a key piece of the puzzle for Gippsland’s economic prosperity. We simply cannot afford for the Traralgon bypass to be put on the backburner any longer. The region needs certainty. This project would create jobs, reduce congestion, improve road safety and boost productivity.

A Traralgon bypass is overwhelmingly supported by residents across Gippsland; VicRoads’ own community engagement will tell you that. The project also has the backing of both the Latrobe City Council and the Wellington Shire Council in recognition of the huge economic and safety benefits it will bring to our region. Freight volumes across Gippsland are growing rapidly, and while traffic through Traralgon is increasing, the delays continue to negatively impact the town and indeed businesses across the region. A bypass would remove heavy vehicles and traffic from the bustling town centre and offer a huge benefit to the transport sector. The Regional Roads Victoria website confirms that the Traralgon bypass has long been identified as a priority project, yet there have been no updates provided since the government announced the $1.4 million to progress the planning phase of the project in 2018. It is simply unacceptable that the bypass has been placed in the too-hard basket, putting it on the backburner and stating it will not be revisited until Loy Yang is rehabilitated, more than 20 years away. As I said, it is just not good enough. Minister, will you agree to conduct a review of the coal overlay provisions in the Latrobe Valley and, if appropriate, rezone part of the land around Loy Yang to get on with the critical Traralgon bypass?