Baw Baw calls for support for priority road upgrades

Baw Baw Shire Council has called on the State and Federal Governments to support priority road upgrades in Warragul and Drouin.

In response to ongoing concerns from the community, Council has prepared a roadmap detailing key road infrastructure projects to alleviate traffic congestion and improve safety.

As one of the fastest-growing peri-urban Councils in Victoria, Baw Baw Shire’s population is expected to double by 2035 to over 100,000 people, placing further pressure on road infrastructure.

The key project outlined in the plan include:

• Bypasses at both the western and eastern ends of Drouin to relieve traffic congestion and divert heavy vehicles from the town centre.
• Duplication of Princes Way between Warragul and Drouin.
• Improving key intersections to address safety risks and reduce the impact of heavy vehicles.
• Building the Warragul Bypass to divert traffic away from residential areas of Warragul to the west and improve access to industrial and agricultural areas.

These projects have been formally identified by Council as critical road projects in need of funding and support by the State Government.

Council is advocating for an estimated $3 million in funding to be provided to Regional Roads Victoria from the State and Federal Governments to commence the detailed planning phase for these projects.

Once planning is complete, the projects will be ready for further investment and delivery to keep up with rapid residential growth.

As stated by Mayor Cr Danny Goss

“Drouin and Warragul are continuing to face the challenges of rapid residential growth placing pressure on our century-old roadways. Every day our residents and local businesses are faced with traffic congestion when they try to navigate their way around our town centres. Our road network is not designed to safely cope with a high volume of traffic and is putting our community at risk.

“We’re asking for the State Government to provide Regional Roads Victoria with crucial funding to plan and deliver these projects, beginning with Strategic Transport Planning for Drouin and Warragul.”

Image: Deputy Mayor Cr Peter Kostos, Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood, Mayor Cr Danny Goss, Cr Tricia Jones and Cr Jessica O’Donnell at the Main South Road roundabout in Drouin.