The Draft Report provides for the upgrade of Ford and Wanganui Roads for this previously identified key strategic east-west link between Stage 1 of the Goulburn Valley Highway Shepparton Bypass (Shepparton Bypass) and the Shepparton Alternative Route (Doyles and Grahamvale Roads). Residential development has been planned and designed along Ford Road to accommodate the future important role for this road. The upgrade will also assist in catering for the planned future traffic volumes associated with existing and future residential development in Shepparton North. The upgrade will also aid in the realisation of a freight supply chain network around Shepparton and Mooroopna.
The consultation period was held from 23 February 2018 to 23 April 2018. Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Kim O’Keeffe said “We appreciate the number of submissions received and we will continue correspondence with the community and VicRoads.”
The submission period has now closed. Council received a number of community requests for alternative alignments to realise the east-west link.
Council is further assessing these suggested alternative alignments, and the opportunities and constraints of these alignments. As these suggested alternative alignments may impact upon non-Ford Road stakeholders, Council will now undertake further consultation with these interested parties along the alternative alignments as they may be unaware of them.
The upgrade of Ford Road to serve as a key strategic east-west link between Stage 1 of the Shepparton Bypass and the Shepparton Alternative Route is fully supported by VicRoads. VicRoads indicated in its submission that an alternative alignment to Ford Road does not align with the adopted strategies of Council, prepared in conjunction with VicRoads.
Whilst Council is considering the opportunities and constraints of the alternative alignments, Council will also continue to engage with those submitters who raised issues, such as safety, acoustic measures, intersection treatments, turning lanes, etc. during the consultation phase of the Draft Report.
Following this further discussion period, Council officers and VicRoads will review and consider all submissions. Council will consider a final report at an ordinary council meeting later in 2018.
Letters to stakeholders along the community suggested alternative alignments will be sent in early May and opportunities for further discussions will be made available in late May 2018.
