War of words over bypass battle

By Alison Noonan
A SLANGING match has erupted between Casey Council and State Government following the launch of council’s new Cranbourne Bypass campaign.
The council recently unveiled its Cranbourne’s Heart Needs a Bypass campaign to pressure the State Government and VicRoads to fund the long-awaited diversion.
The council claims the bypass is vital to removing heavy vehicles from the Cranbourne CBD, despite concerns from nearby residents and the local state MP that this traffic would be transferred just metres away from homes.
Cranbourne MP Jude Perera last week accused the council of using its campaign as a “political football”.
Mr Perera said the council was handballing its responsibility to construct the bypass to the State Government and wasting ratepayers’ money on political motivations.
However, Casey mayor Kevin Bradford this week hit back at the Labor MP’s claims, accusing him of “scaremongering” residents.
“Unfortunately Mr Perera’s lack of understanding is leading to false information being circulated amongst local residents,” Cr Bradford said.
“As Mr Perera says, the State Government is responsible for arterial roads.
“Cameron Street is an arterial road and is already busy, dangerous and difficult for residents living along it and those in the Hunt Club Estate wishing to get on to it at peak times.”
Cr Bradford said the bypass would add $12 million to the State Government’s promised upgrade of Cameron Street between Camms Road and the South Gippsland Highway.
“It simply provides a connection between the South Gippsland Highway and Cameron Street at Camms Road,” he said.
“The land is already owned by VicRoads and this road has been planned for years.
“Council’s Cranbourne Bypass proposal does not require any different standard of road along Cameron Street than what the Government has to build anyway.
“The bypass is vitally important for the future survival of Cranbourne.”
Mr Perera denied he was using scare tactics to turn residents against the bypass, claiming residents were opposed to the proposal long before he aired his concerns.
“That is a complete fabrication,” he said.
“Residents are in fierce opposition to the bypass but from nothing I’ve said.
“They approached me with their complaints.
“I am sympathetic to their cause because no-one wants a four-lane road next to their property.
“However, that’s not the issue – it’s about regional traffic management.”
Mr Perera said the Clyde Road upgrade was the bypass Cranbourne needed and the route he would fight for.
“Council’s Strategic Infrastructure Planning Study (SIPS) identified Clyde Road as a bypass of Cranbourne,” Mr Perera said.
“The Cranbourne Township Bypass Study showed that the upgrade of Clyde Road would also be the more effective bypass of Cranbourne.
“The upgrade of Clyde Road will remove regional through traffic, not just from High Street, but also from the wider township area of Cranbourne. Because of its wider regional significance it has a much higher economic benefit (and hence is more likely to attract State funding) than does the local bypass involving Cameron Street.
“The Clyde Road is the bypass Cranbourne needs.”