Batesford highway plan to ‘cost almost four times’ as much

A COMMUNITY-backed option for the Midland Highway duplication would cost four times more than some of those developed by VicRoads, and would require “significant” land acquisition, the road authority says.

Five options to duplicate the road between Geelong and Ballarat, including one from the Batesford Highway Action Group, have been submitted for consideration.

The BHAG proposal, which is the longest, could cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

It would see a new road veer off the Midland Highway on to the Geelong-Ballan Rd, then go southwest back to the Midland Highway near Bakers Bridge Rd.

BHAG spokesman Steve Gray said the proposal would create a “true bypass”.

“(But) I think there are still other ways that they could potentially attain a better cost outcome,” Mr Gray said.

He said the group’s pro- posal would also minimise the impact on Batesford residents, preserve the environment and cater for an increase of heavy vehicles.

“There are alternative scenarios that don’t have to destroy the township of Batesford; the four options that are being put forward by VicRoads effectively (destroy the township),” Mr Gray said.

He said the BHAG recognised the need for the highway to be duplicated.

“We don’t just want to be seen as a protest group, we want to work with VicRoads,” he said.

Four of the five options branch off at the Geelong Ring Road in Batesford, one of which would add lanes to the Midland Highway through the centre the town.

Two options bypass Batesford to the south with one linking to Fyansford-Gheringhap Rd then coming back on to the Midland Highway. All other routes put to the Government would take a path north of Batesford.

A fifth option would cross the Geelong-Ballan Road near Batesford, and connect to a roundabout near Dog Rocks Road.

Mr Gray said the Fyansford-Gheringhap Rd proposal would cut through swathes of environmentally sensitive land.

VicRoads south west regional director Mark Koliba said a review of the BHAG proposal — including concept designs, traffic modelling, an economic appraisal and the impact on flora and fauna — had been completed.

“This review found that the group’s bypass option would cost almost four times as much as some of the other options developed,” Mr Koliba said.

“It would also require significant acquisition of private agricultural land and scored poorly for flora and fauna impacts.”

Golden Plains Shire has expressed opposition to the duplication through Batesford.

The Government has not released the business case for the duplication because it is cabinet-in-confidence.