City seeks bipartisan support to deliver long-awaited Bellarine Link

THE City of Greater Geelong has named the long-awaited Geelong Ring Road extension as a key priority for the region, as the federal election draws closer.

The project, also known as the Bellarine Link, would connect Baanip Boulevard at the Surf Coast Highway with Barwon Heads Road, helping to ease traffic congestion, keep trucks out of the CBD and provide the community with a more direct link between Melbourne, Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula.

The road has been identified as a key infrastructure project in Victoria’s Big Build and the State Government has already undertaken community consultation on the project, but construction on the road link has not started despite planning beginning in 2017.

In 2021, $2.71 million was allocated to the project in the state budget to support further planning and development work, with South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman at the time saying the funding would help identify the options available for establishing the link.

“They’re big projects, they’re important, and these planning processes just take time and cost money,” he said.

A business case has been completed for the project, with both state and federal funding commitments required to make it a reality.

Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said extending the Geelong Ring Road to Barwon Heads Road is vital for a growing region.

“As the population grows and the traffic through that area increases, we need infrastructure that keeps pace with community need,” Cr Kontelj said.

“The extension would reduce travel times by up to 15 minutes and support our region’s growing population by improving the links between the Bellarine and Melbourne.

“It would also support rail connections to Marshall Station and support active travel through separate paths that keep cars, cyclists and pedestrians safely apart.”

Cr Kontelj said it was vital for all candidates running in Corangamite to invest in the Geelong region and called on each candidate to commit to funding the project.

“We need the support of all parties, so that this infrastructure is delivered regardless of the result,” he said.