CHRISTOPHER O’LEARY<\/p>\n
CURRENT and potential residents are some of the reasons why a plan for a major road through Bacchus Marsh should be supported, Moorabool Shire councillors said. <\/p>\n
A planning study has been conducted into the Bacchus Marsh Eastern Link Road project. <\/p>\n
The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) has nominated a preferred alignment for the road after examining a range of potential options for a future north-south route to the east of the Bacchus Marsh township.<\/p>\n
This preferred alignment includes an eastern interchange featuring two new roundabouts to connect with the existing road network.<\/p>\n
However, such alignment would go through a planning process at a date to be confirmed when the public could provide feedback. <\/p>\n
Moorabool Shire mayor Cr Steve Venditti-Taylor said the proposed interchange would benefit Hopetoun Park residents. <\/p>\n
On the Western Freeway, the suburb has one off-ramp for traffic coming from Bacchus Marsh.<\/p>\n
“Council is advocating for a new eastern interchange for Bacchus Marsh as part of the Eastern Link Road project that would service Hopetoun Park residents,” Cr Vendetti-Taylor said. <\/p>\n
Councillor Rod Ward said the road would allow traffic bound for Geelong or the state’s north to avoid the centre of Bacchus Marsh.<\/p>\n
The road would also extend across the proposed Merrimu precinct, which would stretch to Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road down to Old Western Highway.<\/p>\n
According to the Victorian Planning Authority’s website, about 8000 homes could be delivered as part of the precinct, along with education facilities, a retail centre and local parks.<\/p>\n
Cr Ward said the proposed road would help support the town’s potential new housing in the thousands. <\/p>\n
“The current road infrastructure cannot handle that,” Cr Ward said. “We need the Eastern Link to be built.”<\/p>\n
Michael Bailey, the department’s executive director for Barwon South West and Grampians regions, said $3 million was invested in the Eastern Link Road’s study to improve traffic flow and safety in Bacchus Marsh.<\/p>\n
Public consultation for the Merrimu precinct is open until Thursday 9 April at engage.vic.gov.au\/Merrimu.<\/p>\n
More information about the precinct can be found at vpa.vic.gov.au\/project\/merrimu.<\/p>\n
The planned road’s study is available at transport.vic.gov.au.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CHRISTOPHER O’LEARY CURRENT and potential residents are some of the reasons why a plan for a major road through Bacchus Marsh should be supported, Moorabool Shire councillors said. A planning study has been conducted into the Bacchus Marsh Eastern Link Road project. The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) has nominated a preferred alignment for […]<\/p>\n