A PROPOSED Horsham bypass plan for a major new road east of the city has been sent to Victoria’s planning minister for approval.
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VicRoads has sought Planning Minister Richard Wynne’s approval for the planning scheme using Option D, despite councillors on the previous Horsham Rural City Council expressing concerns.
Councillors approved a report that recommended Option D in September, but did not explicitly approve Option D.
VicRoads regional director Ewen Nevett said the bypass amendment had been through a multi-year process and decisions now needed to be made.
“We are seeking to resolve the amendment to create certainty to property owners and the local community,” he said.
Mr Nevett said an independent review of the planning panel report and information from Horsham Rural City Council and other stakeholders had recommended moving forward.
“It is on this basis that we have updated and prepared documents to submit amendment C72 for approval advocating Option D,” he said.
“This option is located to the east and north of Horsham crossing the Wimmera River, Henty Highway and Adelaide-Melbourne rail line.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, VicRoads had yet to meet with Horsham Rural City’s new councillors.
Horsham council chief executive Peter Brown said he was disappointed that VicRoads had moved ahead with the amendment.
“The new council has not had an opportunity to become fully acquitted with the issue,” he said.
“I expect that councillors will be disappointed if VicRoads is taking this to the planning minister right at this moment, given that there is still time, we understand to February.
“I imagine the council will make a request that the minister not make a decision until we have been able to consider it further.”
Following a meeting with VicRoads, Mayor elect Pam Clarke said she could not comment until she was sworn in as a councillor and mayor at Thursday night’s statutory meeting.
Newly elected councillor Josh Koenig said he endorsed Mr Brown’s comments on the issue and said he would make further comment after being sworn in.
Newly elected Councillor John Robinson said he was in a difficult position and could not comment until he was sworn in and committee positions were assigned,
Returning councillor Mark Radford said he endorsed Mr Brown’s comments.
If Mr Wynne approves the Horsham Planning Scheme Amendment C72, it will introduce a public acquisition overlay on areas in the path of bypass construction.
Homeowners that were unable to sell their homes because of the new overlay would be able to apply for a state government hardship purchase.
VicRoads said there was no money set aside to build the bypass and it could be years or decades before a budget is approved.