January 5, 2012
Australia

Koroit project approvals spark traffic fears

Jono Pech, The Standard, www.standard.net.au 5 January 2012

Koroit residents are fearful new wind farm projects will add to already unbearable noise pollution and deterioration of the Commercial Road surface.

The Koroit Business and Tourism Association has been vocal about noisy trucks frequenting its main street in recent months, asking for alternate routes and road upgrades to deal with the traffic.

But Olde Courthouse Inn Bed and Breakfast manager Helen Sheppard said the Moyne Shire Council and VicRoads had been unable to give an indication of when the small town road would be addressed. “Nothing has happened with the road and the shire or VicRoads haven’t made any contact with the Koroit Business and Tourism Association,” Mrs Sheppard said.

“All we’ve done is ruffle feathers.

“The big problem is there’s two further sites happening at Ryan’s Corner and Hawkesdale starting in March, so that’s double the quantity of quarry trucks going through.

“Combined with cattle trucks going through the street, the answer is an alternate bypass but we’ve been told that’s not going to happen.

“To start with we wanted a Band-Aid for the busy summer season but it’s too late now.

“It was never ever built to take the volume of trucks it now has to accommodate.

“(State Transport Minister) Terry Mulder’s statistics are from 1995-96, so that’s how up to date he is with things in Koroit.”

However, Moyne Shire mayor Jim Doukas said the council had engaged with wind farm construction companies, who had assured there would be less traffic this year.

“We have community engagement committees with all the wind farms and regular meetings to discuss all issues, with roads on top of the list all the time,” Cr Doukas said.

“My understanding is there will be a lot less trucks from now on and they’ll be looking at different routes.

“For further projects starting this year, that’s something to look at when they put in their traffic management plans.”

He said Mrs Sheppard’s concern for Commercial Road’s current condition was valid, but VicRoads and the council needed government assistance to improve the thoroughfare.

“She’s correct and that intersection near her is in terrible condition.

“We need support from state and federal governments because they’re treating us like second class citizens and until there’s money, we can’t do anything.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/05/koroit-project-approvals-spark-traffic-fears/