Warrnambool City Council this week took a significant step on what’s shaping as a long journey to securing Princes Highway upgrades.
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The council released two strategic documents calling for state government and VicRoads action on improving the Princes Highway west of Colac.
The first outlined a raft of priorities for the highway that runs through Warrnambool, including reconfiguring the entrance into Allansford and duplicating the section between Rooneys Road in the west to the city’s boundary beyond Dennington, including widening the bridge over the Merri River.
The second, broader document outlined the need to improve safety on the highway west of Colac to the South Australian border. A key project is duplicating the highway from Dennington to Port Fairy.
The Standard has campaigned for more than 15 years on the need for a comprehensive strategy for the highway in our region and for it to become a road of national importance, qualifying it for access to greater funding.
Back in 2010 we actively promoted a campaign to make ‘Highway 1 Number 1’. Councils united and there was a high-profile rally in Warrnambool calling for funding. But seven years on, we are back at it again.
Sheer numbers – traffic counts are significantly lower than in higher population areas closer to Melbourne – and political unwillingness, have bogged down progress.
More than a decade ago, VicRoads developed a short-term strategy which outlined the opportunity for the addition of several passing lanes, including Illowa and Rosebrook. But as the council strongly argued, there is no overall plan for the highway west of Colac.
The council is right to be frustrated and the need for a clear direction is obvious. How does the council convince the government and VicRoads it needs to commit billions of dollars to improving the Princes Highway? How can we convince the government the money will be worth it?
The council needs to join forces with the region’s other municipalities again, lobby politicians of all party persuasions again, unite and engage the community again and present a case that can’t be refused.
The city has a vision, a common sense vision without ambit. Upgrades, like several listed as the highest priorities within the city boundaries, should be acted on quickly. But what are our chances?
