Elsie Lange

The Sunbury Residents Association (SRA) has welcomed the State Coalition’s commitment to build a Bulla Bypass if elected in November.

The Liberals and State Nationals have pledged $231 million to build the much-anticipated bypass, with Sunbury Liberal candidate Simmone Cottom telling Star Weekly the project “will be launched in my first term”.

“If elected, I will not let this project fall into oblivion because it is long overdue,” she said.

SRA chairman Graham Williams said the pledge was an “excellent commitment”.

“If it can be achieved, and I don’t cost anything to export, something like this has been talked about for so long, it’s almost folklore,” he said.

“I’ve lived in Sunbury for 35 years…it was talked about when we first arrived…it’s just a missing piece of the transportation strategy.”

Hume council said it had not been given a timetable for the bypass works but welcomed the project starting as soon as possible to accommodate the area’s growing population.

“[In 2021] a community consultation was undertaken by the state government and found that 94% of those polled were in favor of the bypass,” the council said.

“We would like the party that will form government in the next national election to commit to making this bypass a reality for Hume rather than just empty words.”

The council said it expected the construction of the bypass would cost more than the funding commitment, but “either way this project is much needed”.

‘A new road link between Bulla-Diggers Rest Road and Somerton Road will not only reduce journey times for residents, but will help reduce the number of heavy vehicles passing through Bulla,’ the council said.

Sunbury MP Josh Bull said Major Roads Projects Victoria was still completing surveys in the area to inform a business case for the bypass, including designs, timelines and costs – he said £231million dollars were “well below” the cost projections.

“It looks like the Coalition has ripped its costs out of thin air… This is no small project, and we have to get it right,” Mr Bull said.

“Planning is essential and is the first major step in this major project.

Jacksons Creek Ward Councilor Jack Medcraft said while he welcomed the announcement, which took ’20 years’, he believed the duplication of Sunbury Road at the rear of Melbourne Airport was a more pressing problem.

“Within the money they have allocated, could they please duplicate the road before building the bridge as it is the most important piece of infrastructure we have,” he said. he declares.