The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien says the Allan Labor Government is still hiding behind Loy Yang mine rehabilitation as an excuse for failing to progress the long-awaited Traralgon bypass.
Mr O’Brien recently raised the issue again in Parliament, calling on the Minister for Roads and Road Safety to progress planning and construction of the bypass. He was backing calls by his colleagues, Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester and Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron.
However, in the Minister’s response, the government again pointed to uncertainty around rehabilitation of the Loy Yang mine, stating construction of the bypass could not be confirmed until the mine’s final rehabilitation plan is understood.
The response also confirmed AGL is not due to submit its Declared Mine Rehabilitation Plan until 2027.
Mr O’Brien said Gippslanders would be rightly frustrated by yet another delay to a project that had already been discussed for more than 35 years.
“The government is effectively saying nothing meaningful can happen on the Traralgon bypass before at least 2027.
“That is simply not good enough for a project this important to Gippsland.”
Mr O’Brien said the government had already allocated planning funding for the bypass in 2017, despite knowing at the time that rehabilitation of the Loy Yang mine would eventually need to occur.
“They knew about the mine rehabilitation issue nearly a decade ago, so it is hard to see this as anything other than another excuse for delay.
“There is really only one practical route for the bypass, south of Traralgon, between the town and the mine, and the government should be getting on with the detailed planning work now.”
Mr O’Brien said motorists travelling east to Sale, Rosedale, Loch Sport and East Gippsland were increasingly frustrated by congestion through Traralgon, while local residents were also dealing with growing volumes of heavy traffic.
“There are now around a dozen sets of traffic lights through Traralgon and it can take a very long time to get through town.
“The bypass would improve freight efficiency, road safety and travel times, while also taking heavy vehicles off local streets.”
Mr O’Brien said the project was too important to keep being pushed further into the future.
“Locals are sick of hearing excuses and seeing no progress.
“The Allan Labor Government needs to stop dragging its feet, finish the planning and work with the Federal Government to finally deliver the Traralgon bypass.
“Only The Nationals in government will ensure Gippsland gets the fresh start it deserves to get important road projects like the Traralgon bypass progressing.”