No election lifeline for Bellarine Link

NEARLY a decade after planning began, Geelong’s long-proposed Bellarine Link remains without a construction commitment from either of Victoria’s major parties ahead of November’s state election.

The City of Greater Geelong has made stage one of the project a centrepiece of its election advocacy, arguing the road would ease congestion and better connect the Bellarine Peninsula with Geelong and Melbourne.

The Bellarine Link would begin at the intersection of Baanip Boulevard and the Surf Coast Highway in Grovedale before crossing the Barwon River and connecting with Barwon Heads Road, Coppards Road, the Bellarine Highway and Portarlington Road.

Planning began in 2017 and a business case was completed in 2022, but the project has yet to receive funding for construction.

The project spans the electorates of Bellarine and South Barwon and would require support from both the state and federal governments.

The city says completing the Bellarine Link would cut travel times between the Bellarine Peninsula, Geelong and Melbourne by up to 15 minutes while providing a safer and more direct route.

It also argues the road would reduce congestion during peak periods and weekends, remove more trucks from central Geelong, support future population growth and encourage tourism.

Stage one was among the city’s priority projects submitted to the Victorian government ahead of this year’s state budget, but did not receive funding.

A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said work to date had focused on investigating options for the first section between Baanip Boulevard and Barwon Heads Road.

“The Bellarine Link is a long-term project and is being carefully planned to ensure it meets the needs of the local community as Geelong continues to grow,” the spokesperson said.

Despite the city’s lobbying, the Coalition stopped short of committing to build the road if elected.

Shadow transport infrastructure minister Evan Mulholland said the Coalition recognised the importance of the project but would not commit to funding it before the election.

“The Liberals and Nationals support local projects that make a difference to communities, and we are looking closely at Bellarine Link thanks to the advocacy of local government, my colleague Bev McArthur and our terrific Geelong region Liberal candidates,” he said.

The Greens, meanwhile, argue the project would be an expensive short-term solution.

“The question isn’t whether congestion is a problem; it absolutely is. The question is whether building more roads will solve it in the long term,” South Barwon Greens candidate Izzy Scherrer said.

“The Greens believe the smarter investment is in transport that gives people genuine choice: frequent and reliable buses, better train connections, improved park-and-ride facilities, and safe cycling infrastructure that connects communities across the Bellarine, South Barwon and the broader region including Melbourne.”