By ANEEKA SIMONIS
KOOWEERUP traders once worried about the impact the new bypass will have on their business say they are positive about the future of the town.
Leanne Bertuna who owns Kooweerup Pizza located on Station Street, the town’s busiest stretch of road, said sales had not been impacted by opening of the Kooweerup Bypass last week.
“Ninety per cent of our sales are local. We have a lot of support from the local community such as the footy club. We haven’t seen an effect on business,” she said.
The bypass, officially opened on Friday 15 May, was campaigned for by locals frustrated over heavy trucks and vehicles using their town as a thoroughfare to the South Gippsland Highway.
Fellow Kooweerup business owner Andre Vugs said traffic on the days leading up to a public holiday or weekend caused gridlock through the town.
“The trucks were definitely a big issue. Around 3.30-4pm on a Friday afternoon, you could hardly get through. I think the bypass is money well spent,” he said.
Sue Lia, a Kooweerup resident of 62 years, was initially cautious about the effect of the bypass on local businesses – but was relieved to hear they are ‘trucking along’.
“I instantly noticed the difference in traffic when the bypass was opened,” she said.
“They trucks that came through the town used to speed through or didn’t stop. I think the bypass is good – as long as it doesn’t kill the town.”
Even out-of-towners are continuing to make the trip into Kooweerup for their shopping needs.
Frank, who lives around 15 minutes away in Blind Bight, said “less traffic” in the town was a big incentive for him to keep coming into the town for his fortnightly shopping.
“It used to take a while to get around with all the cattle trucks coming through,” he said.
