Horsham bypass panel hearings set

VicRoads has requested an independent panel be appointed to consider more than 80 submissions the authority received as part of the planning scheme amendment process for the project.

People had a chance to make submissions about the authority’s proposed bypass routes B2 and D for four weeks until August 14. Submitters will now be able to make their case to the panel.

The first panel hearing on September 21 – announced on Friday – will determine how the public hearings will run.

VicRoads regional director Ewen Nevett said the session would make arrangements for the public hearings starting in October – including hearing times – and provide an opportunity for people to ask questions about the process.

He said it would also consider any procedural or preliminary issues and give directions about the conduct of the hearings, including any exchange of witness reports.

“This is another step in the consultation process and will give submitters an opportunity to speak in support of their written submission in an informal manner,” he said.

“The independent panel is an important part of ensuring the planning process is transparent and robust.”

Mr Nevett said after the public hearings, the panel would consider submissions before giving advice to VicRoads about the proposed amendment.

Both sets of hearings are open to the public.

One Horsham Bypass Group chairman Jeff Moore said the group – which is pushing for options B2 and D to be scrapped – had a number of issues it wanted to highlight during the panel process.

One Horsham has advocated for option 2, which leaves the Western Highway at Dock Lake Recreation Reserve to the south-east of Horsham and bypasses Pimpinio to the north-west.

Options B2 and D bypass Horsham to the north-east.

“The main issues are the floodplain and problems going through that, and the bypass impacts on the Horsham aerodrome – B2 and D will destroy development out there,” Mr Moore said.

“Many also have concerns about the number of houses that will be taken with those two routes.”

Mr Moore said it was realistic to think the planning panel could recommend options B2 and D should be thrown out.

“The best case scenario is that it finds B2 and D are no longer viable options – they just aren’t suitable,” he said.

Horsham Rural City Council rejected both options at a council meeting earlier this month.

Council supports a bypass, but has not identified a preferred route.

The bypass directions hearing will be at Horsham Golf Club at 11am.

Public panel hearings will also be at the golf club from October 19 to October 23, and November 4 to November 6.

Mr Nevett said Planning Panels Victoria would confirm public hearing times by the end of September.

The bypass planning works are jointly funded by the federal and state governments as part of the Western Highway duplication between Stawell and the South Australian border.

No government funding is allocated for Horsham bypass construction.