UNCERTAINTY OVER BY-PASS BUFFER

Eastern Victoria MP Peter Hall is seeking clarity on the buffer zones required for the proposed latest Traralgon By-Pass route.

Mr Hall is concerned that the 600 metre buffer zone would, if the Government’s preferred route for the by-pass comes to fruition, impact on significant facilities and businesses, including the Latrobe Regional Hospital.

“The reality is that under the current proposals the Hospital and a number of other planned developments would fall into the buffer zone area,” Mr Hall said. “The Government needs to clarify that so that the local people and local authorities know what they are dealing with.”

Mr Hall is critical of the Government’s decision on the preferred by-pass route, as it will tie up much of the available land in the Morwell-Traralgon corridor.  “I also think there is some disquiet in the Government over this; after all, an inquiry into this chaired by the former ALP member for Morwell Keith Hamilton, had its decision overturned after the Government was forced by one of the State Government departments to look at it again.

“The end result has been something that does no good at all for the Latrobe Valley and its future development.”

Mr Hall added there was now further uncertainty about the impact of the buffer zones.

He raised the matter in Parliament this week, putting the heat on the Planning Minister.

During a member’s statement to the House, he said: “I seek some commitment or an assurance from the minister about the placement of the buffer zone surrounding the proposed Traralgon bypass.

“On 27 February -- four months ago -- I asked the Minister for Planning to clarify the placement of the buffer zones on either side of the planned bypass, because the 600 metre buffer zone on its northern side included some significant structures including the Latrobe Regional Hospital.

“The minister said he would come down and work with the local council and community to resolve the buffer zone issues. To my knowledge, to this point no decision has been made with respect to that; and no announcement has been made by the government.”

Mr Hall said to “give some certainty to existing businesses and planned developments along the highway” the Minister for Planning needed to provide a solid declaration as to what had been decided in respect to the placement of the buffer zones.

 

Media contact:                  Peter Hall      (03) 5174 7066   or 0427 747 06