MP: I’d back new Grovey link route

Kim Waters
SOUTH Barwon MP Michael Crutchfield has vowed to back any bid to change the route of Geelong’s bypass link to Surf Coast Highway despite warning of disastrous consequences.
Changing the route would cost a fortune and delay further development of Armstrong Creek for a year and a half, he said.
Mr Crutchfield told angry Grovedale residents only Geelong’s council had the power to move the route of the 4.5-kilometre link away from their homes.
“My understanding is many things are possible and it depends at what cost but council could abandon (the route),” Mr Crutchfield said.
“I think they’d need to take some strong legal advice because they’d be up for a considerable amount of money.”
Geelong council made a decision two years ago to “put the road there,” Mr Crutchfield said.
“Changing the location would affect Barwon Water and the new residential (growth area), and would delay securing land for the railway station.
“Everything would be on hold for 18 months.”
Mr Crutchfield supported the proposed bypass link alignment but would “prosecute council’s case strongly” if it decided to move the road.
Mr Crutchfield said moving the link to Grovedale residents’ preferred alignment along Boundary Road would have “negative implications” for development of Armstrong Creek.
“They (council) received an Australian award for planning for Armstrong Creek, so it would be very odd to go back and revisit the plans.”
Mr Crutchfield accused council of “leading residents down the garden path”.
“No one has suggested the link would be shifted, not State Government, Federal Government, G21 or Geelong’s council,” he said.
“As of right now they all support the current alignment.”
The Independent was unable to gain comment from council before the paper went to press.