It’s the shire’s top priority

THE Kooweerup Bypass is still the Cardinia Shire Council’s number one priority.
The long-awaited project has been the top issue in terms of the council’s lobbying for the past 18 months, including the last federal election.
Cardinia Shire Council mayor Bill Pearson said a 50–50 contribution from State and Federal governments was still being sought to fund the project.
“Council is continuing to seek a commitment to this project as a matter of urgency,” he said. “Our residents’ safety is a major concern – we do not want an increase in accidents and fatalities. It is vital that state and federal funding is committed immediately to this extremely-important, potentially life-saving project.”
Cr Pearson said residents could not wait any longer for the State Government to get started on the project.
“With the Pakenham Bypass now well established, the Kooweerup Road has become the main north-south link between the Princes Highway and the South Gippsland Highway,” he said. “Council is concerned that Kooweerup township is becoming a ‘rat run’ for traffic, including the heavy transport industry.”
Cr Pearson said a Kooweerup bypass, incorporating the upgrading of Kooweerup Road would deliver a number of benefits, including boost the state and national economy by providing more effective access to markets for primary produce, in particular asparagus, sand from the significant sand deposits in Cardinia, Bass Coast and South Gippsland shires, and access Phillip Island and the surrounding coastline.
Port Ward councillor Stuart Halligan said the project had strong community support.
“The bypassing of Kooweerup township would provide safety and amenity benefits for residents and allow the town to grow as an important satellite township within the shire but outside the Urban Growth Corridor,” he said.
Cr Halligan said a bypass and upgraded Kooweerup-Healesville Road would also ease traffic congestion in Cranbourne and Tooradin.