The project will significantly boost road safety in Greater Shepparton, while helping to remove freight from Shepparton’s central business district.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Cr Kim O’Keeffe, said the financial commitment is a great sign of support for the Goulburn Valley.
“Council has lobbied for more than 20 years for funding for this project,” she said.
“The need for this to happen has been highlighted at recent visits to Parliament House Canberra and Melbourne.
“Our collaboration with the Goulburn Valley Shepparton Bypass Action Group, Committee for Greater Shepparton, local politicians and other community members has also seen us meet with ministers on the topic.
“We are experiencing incredible growth and investment in Greater Shepparton and it is wonderful to see this progress recognised.
“To receive funding on this scale is huge news for not only Greater Shepparton but also our wider Goulburn Valley region.”
The first stage of the project will see a 10km single lane road starting at the Midland Highway in Mooroopna.
“A project of this size will not only deliver safer roads and improved business, but it will create many hundreds of jobs for local people,” Cr O’Keeffe said.
“The Shepparton bypass will improve local business by helping our transport companies move product as quickly as possible and provide another crossing from Mooroopna to Shepparton taking some pressure off the Causeway and Watt Road.
“The project has been split into five stages and will take many years, but funding such as this from the Federal Government allows us to stay on track.”
Federal Member for Murray, Damian Drum, said the announcement has been a long time coming.
“Safer roads are a top priority for many of the locals and small businesses I meet with regularly and I am excited to be part of the Government which is delivering the safer country roads our region needs and deserves.”
