VicRoads submitted the Horsham bypass planning scheme amendment to Planning Minister Richard Wynne’s office for approval earlier this month, with a preference for option D.

Option D would create a new major road east of Horsham, but the works have not been funded.

Cr Clarke said she was disappointed VicRoads had moved the issue forward before the new council had a chance to be sworn in and consider thousands of pages of documents.

“We didn’t have any council at the time,” she said.

“To get four new councillors up to speed takes a little time.

“It is disappointing. We have contacted the minister’s office and we will be getting a letter from them very soon.”

Cr David Grimble, who chaired the transport committee in the previous council term, said he was also disappointed.

“The conflict with the aerodrome needs to be resolved, and that’s what council identified by not endorsing the master plan,” he said.

“Council’s position has not changed. We oppose option D on its current alignment.”

Cr Clarke said the council would consider Mr Wynne’s response and look at sending a delegation to Melbourne.

Cr Mark Radford said those who might be affected by the planning amendment needed certainty.

“It’s been a dark cloud hanging over the community and the sooner we get the lines on the map, the better,” he said.

“The one thing that we need to give the community is surety, given that this has been going on for so long.

“The council laid out its concerns. VicRoads might not have appreciated those concerns, but it’s now up to the planning minister to decide.”

Cr John Robinson said his personal view was that VicRoads had added to confusion around the issue.

“They made it sound like it’s fait accompli,” he said.