The Bulla bypass and Melbourne Airport link are a step closer after the projects were endorsed by an independent planning panel.
In January, state Planning Minister Richard Wynne appointed three panelists to assess Amendment C190 to the Hume Planning Scheme. This aims to set aside land earmarked for the proposed airport link and Bulla bypass.
A report to the minister released last month recommended Amendment C190 be adopted with only minor changes and that the bypass and first stage of the airport link be expedited.
But VicRoads suggests these projects could be 15 to 20 years away and are linked to a planned outer metropolitan ring road.
“Based on the traffic modelling and other evidence and submissions, the panel recognises the existing road network is constrained and often congested – a situation which residential development and other growth will worsen,” the panelists reported.
“Much of the expected extra travel demand pressure will continue to fall on two-lane undivided roads, such as Sunbury Road.”
“The panel strongly supports building the Bulla bypass and that part of the Melbourne airport link south of Somerton Road as soon as possible.”
The panel said the proposed alignments for the two roads, up to six lanes each, would have the least impact on private properties.
Four houses and sheds will be acquired and demolished for the roads projects and there are 37 privately owned land lots affected, 17 of which would be divided into two or more lots by the road reserves.
VicRoads will extend the public acquisition overlay to enable road access to Wildwood Winery at 80 St Johns Road, Bulla, but will remove the threat of compulsory acquisition from 1180 Somerton Road, Bulla, to allow the residents to keep their Phillip Johnson-designed front garden,
Kerrie O’Riley and his wife, Judith, were among five residents who opposed the amendment that is before the panel.
Their property would be reduced, with 1.1 hectares subject to acquisition, dividing their horse training centre down the middle.
Mr O’Riley said while talk of the road projects had been the source of anxiety for some years, the couple were resigned that their home of more than 40 years would be sacrificed.
“It’s progress and it makes sense, but any time there’s progress someone gets hit in the neck,” Mr O’Riley said. “I’m 72 now. By the time they get around to it I might be just a memory.”
The panel’s report can be viewed online at bit.ly/1dy3ZPf
