Barwon Heads Road duplication: construction likely next year, MP Darren Cheeseman says

The State Government’s signature $318 million road upgrade in the region is unlikely to begin this year, South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman says.

THE State Government’s signature $318 million road upgrade in the region is unlikely to begin this year, South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman says.

Construction was promised this year when the State Government took the project to the election in 2018, but Mr Cheeseman said COVID-19 restrictions meant the required level of community consultation had not been completed.

“It will be an important next step to finalising the design of the road,” Mr Cheeseman said earlier this week.

“I think there has been something like 12 months of further consultation than what we originally thought. Going to detailed design and contract will be delayed by a similar period of time.

“I don't apologise for taking the necessary time to get this right. You don’t have a second opportunity on a road like this.

“We will have a much clearer picture on where it’s at by the end of this year.”

If the Barwon Heads Road duplication is to begin this year as promised, the project will require major funding at the State Budget due later this year.

Just $400,000 of the promised $318.8 million has been allocated to the project so far.

Major Roads Projects Victoria said on Friday geotechnical investigations along Barwon Heads Road between Settlement Road, Belmont and Reserve Road, Charlemont would take place between June 16 and August 7.

“This information will help us understand the ground conditions and the location of the existing services such as water, telecommunications, gas and electricity,” a community update read.

Mr Cheeseman said compulsory land acquisition will be required for the duplication of the road.

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman

Meanwhile, Mr Cheeseman said the State Government had submitted a project proposal for the duplication of the Geelong rail line between Waurn Ponds and South Geelong to the Commonwealth in a bid to progress the project.

“The project proposal report is a funding agreement that has been recently submitted to the Commonwealth Government. Contrary to claims made by some, the State Government has been working hard to finalise the planning of this complex project and the ball is firmly placed in the Federal Government’s court for consideration and agreement.

“I look forward to the Federal Government approving the Report and bringing forward funding for the Duplication project, of which only a portion has been provided to date.

“Having the Commonwealth sign off on this is the next milestone in the advancement of this important major project for our region.”

Mr Cheeseman was pressed for details of the report by the Geelong Advertiser but he was unable to release them.

He said rail duplication would likely take “four or five years” to complete because it required complex work at Breakwater.

“I would like to see his project opened and completed within the next four or five years. I think that’s achievable. It’s a complicated project. building a rail crossing, in swamp land effectively, is a complicated project.”

He said rail stabling yards at North Geelong needed to be moved to Waurn Ponds, and a second platform at Waurn Ponds station needed to be build for “the line to work efficiently.”

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Originally published as Barwon Heads Road duplication: construction likely next year, MP Darren Cheeseman says