G21 Regional Road Connections

THE NEED

Strong economic and urban growth in the G21 region is placing increased pressure on our regional road network.

Efficient and effective transport routes to key regional and metropolitan locations underpin most of the region’s industries and are critical to ongoing economic viability.

Funding is required to implement key road upgrades identified in the G21 Region Road Transport Plan (2017-27).

These road projects will facilitate economic expansion, improve road safety and increase accessibility across the G21 region.

Funding is also required to create an Integrated Transport Strategy.

Using the G21 Region Road Transport Plan (2017-27) and G21 Region Public Transport Strategy (2014) as a foundation, this strategy will establish a long-term plan for the integration of our transport system.

It will provide a cohesive transport and land use planning framework that will strengthen the regional economy, reduce congestion and travel times, improve safety, connect communities as well as incorporate the sustainability aspirations needed to support growth and enhance the region’s liveability.

Investment in new and upgraded road infrastructure will also contribute to creating liveable, sustainable settlements in the new G21 Regional Growth Areas.

PROJECT CHAMPION

Guy Wilson-Browne, General Manager City Services, City of Greater Geelong.

PROJECT AIM

Funding is required to complete business cases investigating the upgrade and improvements of key road connections across the region.

Funding is also needed to complete or develop key road links within the G21 region, including:

Barwon Heads Road Duplication

Duplication of Barwon Heads Road will help reduce congestion and improve safety in Armstrong Creek, one of the largest contiguous growth areas in Victoria that will provide housing for up to 65,000 people in the next 10 to 25 years.

Duplication between Settlement Road and Reserve Road is funded, while planning between Reserve Road and Lower Duneed Road is underway.

Upgrading freight connections to the Port

Heavy transports from Melbourne and the Western District travel via the Geelong Ring Road to GeelongPort. These transport connections need to be urgently upgraded as they are not of the standard required to properly support this traffic.

Upgrading the Midland Highway to Bannockburn

Improved accessibility via the Geelong Ring Road has boosted growth in Bannockburn, with a forecast increase in population of almost 90 per cent to more than 13,000 between now and 2036.

A business case investigating the duplication of the Midland Highway between Geelong and Bannockburn has been completed. Funding is now required to complete road construction.

Constructing Bellarine Link (Geelong Ring Road extension) to the Bellarine Peninsula

Development plans for Armstrong Creek define a corridor for the East-West connection linking Baanip Boulevard to Portarlington Road.

A detailed corridor planning study to determine the alignment between Barwon Heads Road and Portarlington is underway. Funding will be required to complete road construction.

Bacchus Marsh Road Duplication

The Northern Geelong Growth Area will house around 48,000 new residents. To prevent out of sequence development from impacting the road network, planning for road improvements, including the duplication of Bacchus Marsh Road, is required.

WHAT HAS BEEN COMMITTED

• $365 million for planning and duplication of Barwon Heads Road Stage 1 and planning for Barwon Heads Road Stage 2 duplication.
• $10 million to build overtaking lanes on the Midland Highway between Bannockburn and Meredith.
• $6.6 million for a detailed corridor planning study determining alignment of Bellarine Link.
• $3.5 million to upgrade Shell Parade, improving road access to the Port of Geelong.
• $600,000 to plan for the Midland Highway duplication to Bannockburn.
• $175,000 to create an Integrated Transport Strategy that will guide transport planning decision making in the G21 region.

WHAT IS REQUIRED

Planning to guide future transport decisions

• $500,000 to plan for road upgrades and improvements on the Corio – Waurn Ponds corridor.
• $500,000 to plan for road upgrades and improvements between Breakwater – Moolap corridor.

Barwon Heads Road duplication

• $250 million for the Barwon Heads Road duplication Stage 2 (Reserve Road to Lower Duneed Road).

Upgrading freight connections to the Port

• $25 million to duplicate Bacchus Marsh Road between Geelong Ring Road and Princes Highway, connecting the Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct to GeelongPort.
• $6 million to upgrade four intersections along Shell Parade to improve road access for heavy traffic to GeelongPort.

Upgrading the Midland Highway to Bannockburn

• $265 million to duplicate the Midland Highway to Bannockburn.

Constructing Bellarine Link (Geelong Ring Road extension) to the Bellarine Peninsula

• $160 million to build Bellarine Link, connecting Baanip Boulevard to Portarlington Road.

Bacchus Marsh Road duplication

• Funding to plan for road improvements in the Northern Geelong Growth area.

A commitment to embed GROW training, employment and procurement principles in all government projects within the region.