Vote ‘yes’ for bypass

By Sarah Schwager
CRANBOURNE’S traffic woes are in danger of being bypassed despite the mayor’s efforts to get the Cranbourne Bypass back on the political agenda.
Neither party will put a firm commitment on funding the Bypass in the lead-up to the state election and City of Casey mayor Kevin Bradford is now calling on both parties to show their hands.
While the Liberal Party has also failed to make a commitment on building a bypass, the mayor said since coming into power, Labor had failed motorists when it came to the Cranbourne Bypass.
“Unfortunately, the current State Member for Cranbourne Jude Perera has so far failed to act on his Government’s own 1999 Cranbourne Township Bypass Study which indicates that even with the progressive upgrade of Clyde Road, a bypass of Cranbourne is still needed to alleviate traffic and safety concerns in High Street,” Cr Bradford said.
However, Cranbourne MP Jude Perera has handballed the issue back to Casey Council.
Mr Perera said it was time for the council to “come clean” and advise each ratepayer how much money it had spent in the bypass campaign.
He said the State Government recognised the need for through traffic to bypass Cranbourne.
Mr Perera said the duplication of Berwick-Cranbourne Road had been identified as the most effective bypass of Cranbourne.
“The Berwick-Cranbourne Road is the bypass Cranbourne needs,” he said.
After State Opposition leader Ted Baillieu recently announced a $250 million bypass around Frankston, the bid to get the Liberal Party on its side has become even greater for Casey Council.
Cr Bradford urged Mr Baillieu to make a similar commitment to address the needs of the Cranbourne community.
“A commitment by the Liberal Party to fund the Cranbourne Bypass would be a strategic decision because the net benefits to be gained by all of the key stakeholders in the long-term would far outweigh the initial investment,” Cr Bradford said.
Liberal candidate for Cranbourne Luke Martin said he realised Cranbourne needed a bypass and was pushing hard within the party ranks for a commitment.
“I am fighting within the Liberal Party to build a bypass,” he said.
Mr Martin accused Mr Perera of failing to show up at a meeting about the bypass last Thursday, attended by more than 50 residents and with Cr Bradford as a keynote speaker.
“Cranbourne MP Jude Perera was also invited to speak to the meeting, but never attended, nor offered an apology to those present – many of whom were keen to hear the State Government’s position on the Cranbourne Bypass,” Mr Martin said.
Mr Perera said he could not attend because of prior election commitments and had put in a formal apology to the City of Casey.
Cr Bradford said a bypass would not only improve amenity and revitalise the High Street shopping centre, but the duplication of Cameron Street would also provide safer access to the road network for those residents living along it.
Cr Bradford said construction works of the Cranbourne Bypass were expected to cost about $12 million for the northern section and $20 million for the Cameron Street section.