Shire seeks ‘southern route for bypass link’

KIM WATERS
GEELONG’S bypass link to Surf Coast Highway should go further south, according to a council submission to a panel reviewing the route.
Surf Coast Shire said the 4C link should go around Geelong’s Armstrong Creek growth area to provide a “seamless, high-speed transition” from Angelsea Road.
The shire said the existing proposed route further north would provide slower access to Torquay because motorists would eventually pass through Armstrong Creek traffic controls and speed limits.
The proposed route was “contrary to the objective of creating an efficient ring road around Geelong”, the shire said.
A State Government panel is reviewing 4C after residents at Grovedale and Waurn Ponds objected to the route’s proximity to their homes.
The previous Labor Government set the route but the Coalition initiated the review after winning November’s state election.
The panel received 86 submissions before running a five-day hearing process in Geelong this month.
Boral Property Group, which employs over 120 Geelong staff through Blue Circle Southern Cement, said the proposed 4C route would hurt its Waurn Ponds limestone quarry.
“A significant portion of the unmined limestone reserves are affected by the proposed alignment,” the group’s submission said.
“These limestone reserves are an extremely rare and valuable resource for the state of Victoria.”
Geelong Public Transport Users Association’s submission said the 4C alignment would “divide communities north and south of the combined rail and road reserves”.
“A six-lane dual-carriageway motorway paralleling the Warrnambool railway line will impede opportunities for necessary transit-oriented development in Armstrong Creek.”
The route earned support from submitters including Armstrong Creek developers, City of Greater Geelong, Department of Sustainability and Environment and Barwon Water.
Newland Developers general manager Mark Whinfield said development of “all of the precincts within Armstrong Creek” relied upon the proposed route.
The City said the alignment was “the best location”.
Regional councils alliance body G21 said it offered the “best opportunity” to integrate Grovedale and Waurn Ponds with Armstrong Creek.