Council
7 January, 2026
Resident takes to the sky for new Horsham bypass route
Despite a run of ill health or perhaps because of it, Stan Ellis has had time to consider Horsham Rural City Council's plan to put the bypass back on the table. On December 19, he took to the sky to test his idea and make sure he had a workable plan.
"We went up in a helicopter," he said.
"We got a real good view of where I think would be the best route to follow that would lessen the impact on homes and farms."
Some of the finer details are yet to be decided, but turning off the Western Highway before Horsham, following the Three Chain Road to Wail, then continuing to Dooen, would minimise damage to farms and homes he believed.
"The Three Chain Road is already there, despite it being a dirt track; at least this route would follow an existing road that has already been in use," he said.
Mr Ellis said he suggested an idea about 10 years ago, but the project didn't go ahead.
He believed it is essential for it to proceed this time and wants to submit his proposal to the council for consideration.
"Any other route will cause upset to homeowners and families, but this route would be minimal," he said.
"There are some details to work out, but following this route would keep the air in Horsham clean by removing the trucks, and it would create a safer Horsham for everyone."
Mr Ellis said that while there may be some small variations to the property along the way to provide width for the bypass, as the current road is only a dirt track, he believes it wouldn't be cutting any farms up because the existing road is already there.
"Accessing land on either side of the highway for landholders may need to be considered, but that would be addressed in the planning," he said.
At the December meeting of Horsham Rural City Council, members voted to revisit the bypass project, which has been discussed since the 1940s.
With increased development in manufacturing, mining, and renewables in the region, the council estimates there will be an even greater need for the bypass in the coming years as heavy vehicle movements increase.
Council will form a Community Reference Group in the New Year to consider all community suggestions and begin developing a plan.
A plan is essential to attract government funding for the bypass, so the council has committed to it being more than a talking point.
Other major projects, like the airport master plan, depend on a bypass plan.