Road improvements
There are key state-controlled roads in Moyne which attract the most complaints and comments. These are:
- Heywood - Woolsthorpe Road
- Penshurst - Macarthur Road
- Spencer Road
- Warrnambool Caramut Road
- Princes, Hopkins and Hamilton Highways.
Each are key freight and commuter routes with increasing traffic numbers and impacts on each sub-region of the Moyne Shire.
The Heywood-Woolsthorpe Road is of particular concern for Council and the community - it is a key freight route and designated B-Double route to the Port of Portland but features narrow single lane sections which force vehicles to move to the side of the road which feature unsealed shoulders, deep drop off and potholes.
Speeds have been reduced to 60km/h in some sections and the ongoing poor condition of the road is a great cause of angst in the community.
The Princes Highway is another key road of concern - the section of highway between Allansford and Panmure which has been under Contruction for three years must be fixed as soon as possible. The pause on this work mid-way through is a major frustration for the community.
Areas between Warrnambool and Port Fairy are also in very poor condition - particularly between Port Fairy and Rosebrook and Tower Hill and Dennington. Council seeks urgent clarification about previously committed funding for this section of road.
The Hopkins Highway between Warrnambool and Mortlake is also in a state of disrepair, especially in areas around Ballangeich.
Council calls on the Victorian Government to increase road construction and maintenance funding for state-controlled roads in the south-west region.
Barwon South West Dairy Supply Chain Study
The Barwon South West Dairy Supply Chain Study is a regional plan which outlines where money should be invested to improve roads which are key dairy freight routes.
It highlights $317 million of investment to improve the freight newtork associated with Australia’s largest dairy production region, responsible for 24 percent of Australia’s milk production.
Some upgrades highlighted in the plan have been completed - but Moyne continues to call on Governments to fund further improvements to improve freight links for the dairy industry, but also to benefit of all road users.
The plan can be downloaded here(PDF, 19MB).