Budget confirms support for Barwon Heads Rd stage 2

FUTURE upgrades to Barwon Heads Road are still on the cards, with the Victorian government confirming its support in the 2023/24 State Budget.

The specific amount of funding in the coming financial year for the project or a timeline for construction is not listed, but it is mentioned as one of the projects in Labor’s Financial Statement (LFS) for 2022, which details the costings of Labor’s commitments in last year’s state election.

Planning is under way for stage 2 of the Barwon Heads road duplication, which will upgrade Barwon Heads Road from Reserve Road, Charlemont, to Lower Duneed Road, Armstrong Creek, add more lanes, upgrade key intersections, and build cycling and walking paths to improve connectivity.

According to the budget, released on Tuesday this week, stage 2 is part of the LFS’ $674 million Road Blitz to Get Families Home Sooner and Safer package, which will “upgrade key roads and intersections in Victoria’s major growth areas and regions, improving network efficiency, travel times and road safety”.

Victorian Labor promised to spend $125 million on the project in November last year ahead of the state election, and is splitting the cost evenly with its federal Labor counterparts, who made their own $125 million election commitment in November 2021.

Bellarine MP Alison Marchant said Stage 2 of Barwon Heads Road was just one of her 2022 election commitments in her electorate that was being delivered in the budget.

“We’re doing what matters for people on the Bellarine Peninsula and delivering every election promise we made for better schools, roads, trains, hospitals and community spaces in our area.

“This budget delivers for local kids and families in Bellarine – from a better school in Wallington to funding for the new North Bellarine Aquatic and Leisure Centre.”

Major Road Projects Victoria sought community feedback on the Stage 2 works as part of the planning approval process before it submits the project to the Planning Minister, with feedback closing on Monday this week.

A business case for the $250 million works is being developed and is expected to be complete later this year.

Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson claimed federal Labor was not moving fast enough with its share of the stage 2 cost.

“Despite stage 2 of the Barwon Heads Road upgrade being a Labor election promise, Mr [Prime Minister Anthony] Albanese and Ms [Corangamite federal member Libby] Coker have delayed the majority of funding for the project until beyond the next election.”

The $363 million stage 1 of the Barwon Heads Road duplication between between Settlement Road, Belmont and Reserve Road, Charlemont is expected to be finished by the end of 2023.