No roads action is costing economy

Two reports commissioned by Baw Baw Shire council claim a "minimal or do nothing approach" to the arterial road network around Warragul and Drouin could cost the shire's economy up to $1.5 billion in the next 30 years.
The studies by consultants REMPLAN and GHD found the arterial roads in the two towns carry more than 13,000 vehicles, including 600 heavy vehicles, each day and can no longer cater for the volume of residential, commercial and industrial traffic.
"Without alternative transport routes to support more efficient and safer transport for livestock, extractive resources and incoming and outgoing agricultural produce congestion on arterial roads would put the brakes on the region's commercial and industrial growth".
In Drouin's town centre alone the REMPLAN report estimates gross retail and commercial revenue of $182 million by 2045 and support for 815 ongoing jobs could be at risk, or hindered, by a "no investment (in roads) approach".
The reports said rapid residential and industrial growth already placed enormous pressure on state-managed arterial roads that are key transport routes not only between Warragul and Drouin town centres but also connectors to metropolitan Melbourne, the Latrobe Valley and other parts of Gippsland.
The consultants said impacts of not addressing the congestion extended beyond industry and commerce to the quality of life for the Baw Baw community with increased noise, localised pollution, longer travel times, increased road maintenance costs, effects on emergency service responses and greater difficulties accessing education locations.
Mayor Michael Leaney said council was advocating for support from all sides of the political spectrum to provide $3 million to Regional Roads Victoria for proper design works that addressed congestion on state-owned arterial roads in the shire.
The figures on the future cost to the local economy speak for themselves, he said.
It is why we (council) have made it an issue of "absolute priority" on behalf of local industry, businesses and residents, Cr Leaney stated.