Bypass on

By Bridget Brady
THE State Government won’t build it.
And the Opposition might build it, but won’t say so just yet.
With state elections coming up in November, the much-anticipated Cranbourne Bypass is back on the agenda.
Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce president Judy Davis said she would start a community group to advocate for the long-awaited project and organise new petitions to strengthen the campaign.
And visiting Opposition Public Transport and Roads spokesman Terry Mulder held a community forum in Cranbourne on Tuesday night to hear residents’ concerns.
He said the State Government had neglected Cranbourne’s transport needs during the past decade but made no commitments himself, only saying the Victorian coalition would release a detailed public transport and roads policy before the November election.
Ms Davis said the bypass was most importantly needed to reduce the number of trucks that came through High Street.
“In 2020 our population will virtually double and we need a bypass. People in Cranbourne are sick and tired of hearing about all these things. It has got to the stage where we need it,” Ms Davis said.
Trucks that passed through High Street did nothing to help the chamber’s push to promote alfresco dining in Cranbourne, Ms Davis said.
“If we can stop the trucks from coming in, we can make the ambience of High Street much better.”
Casey councillor Amanda Stapledon agreed that anyone who had tried to have a “peaceful coffee and chat” on the main sidewalk would realise the bypass should be a top priority.
“This piece of road has been sought for 20 plus years,” Cr Stapledon said.
Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas last month responded to Ms Davis’s letter regarding the bypass and said VicRoads had no plans to construct it.