Horsham bypass: council seeks government meeting to discuss concerns

HORSHAM Rural City councillors will seek a meeting with state government minsters to outline Horsham bypass concerns.

Cr David Grimble presented a motion to council on Monday night that council meet Planning Minister Richard Wynne, Roads Minister Luke Donnellan and Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford to discuss council’s submission to the Horsham bypass planning scheme amendment process.

As part of the process, residents and groups could submit feedback about bypass plans to VicRoads for four weeks until August 14.

Cr Grimble’s motion passed five votes to two, with councillors Pam Clarke and Mark Radford voting against it.

What do you think? Vote in our poll (story continues below):

Cr Grimble said the planning scheme amendment contained a series of reports.

He said the technical data should provide sound information to justify VicRoads’ decision to propose routes B2 and D, but this was not the case.

“On reading these reports, they contain factual errors and a lack of consistency. This is no real rationale or justification that VicRoads has the best option,” he said.

”I also believe the community has been deprived of additional information on other alignments.

“I believe we need to draw attention to this with the relevant ministers.”

Cr Tony Phelan said the effects B2 and D had for Horsham Aerodrome were among council’s concerns.

“The proposed bypass routes run within 250 to 300 metres of east-west runway or the north-south runway,” he said.

“We have already commenced considering concept plans to lengthen the main runway to 1800 metres.

“For future development of the airport, we cannot proceed if there are arbitrary lines on a map.

“We cannot continue development of the aerodrome if we allow a bypass where it’s intended to go.

“We should object at the highest level.”

Cr Mark Radford said he was concerned about council going against the submission process.

“Council agreed to put a submission in. Why did we do that? It’s part of the process. I’m not in favour of short-circuiting the process,” he said.

“I honestly can’t imagine sitting in Jaala Pulford’s office and she says ‘Why aren’t you following the process?’

“My personal view is that further down the track, we’ll probably end up at some sort of panel process.

“If there’s anything not right then, that’s the time to play the card with involving the government.

“I don’t see how short-circuiting the process will benefit anybody.”

Cr Heather Phillips supported the motion.

“We almost got VicRoads to have a look at the routes, then there was a change in government,” she said.

”I don’t see there are two options on the table – it’s one option with a variant at the end.

“The options backed by VicRoads don’t meet our expectations.

“I think we’ve said that quite softly in our submission, but we have to say it strongly.”

Cr Pam Clarke said council needed to be careful involving ministers at this stage.

“If we use our trump card now, we lose that card later. We must be strategic with how we operate,” she said.

“It is the wrong option and we know that. There are a lot of options that are a lot better than the ones they have picked.

“I agree with what everyone is saying, but we need to be careful we don't jump the gun now and destroy our chances later.

“The motion is strong, but I think now is the wrong time to do it.”

Cr Robin Barber suggested council meet with Member for Mallee Andrew Broad and Member for Lowan Emma Kealy to outline its concerns.

“Council is at the stage now where we need to make a decision. If it gets to the panel stage, I think it will be too late then,” he said.

Cr Sue Exell said it was disappointing technical reports contained errors.

“We need to make sure we plan well so that when Horsham grows, we don’t have a bypass in the middle of a growth area,” she said.

Cr Grimble said he was disappointed the motion generated so much debate.

”I think when we identify a flaw in the process, we raise that with the appropriate people,” he said.

“When do we want to play our trump card? This has been going on since 2007. The first report that came through to council was full of errors.

“We thought ‘That’s okay, it will get resolved’.

“Prime time is now. It’s an opportunity to raise concerns I’ve heard over many weeks.

“If we don’t, our community would be very critical at the lack of response from this council.”