Lang Lang’s heavy traffic woes –  still no update

The Nationals’ Melina Bath has sought answers from Labor regarding the status of planning works for the Lang Lang bypass in state parliament.

Ms Bath’s question comes after she and Shadow Minister for Roads Danny O’Brien met with the Lang Lang Business and Community Group to discuss community concerns about the town’s increasing heavy vehicle traffic.

“During a meeting with the Department of Transport and Planning in April, locals were promised an update after being told it was “working on a plan”.

“Over six months later and there’s no hint of a plan, let alone an update.

“Instead, the Allan Labor Government announced it’s fast tracked approval of a new sand quarry near town that will further exacerbate truck movements.”

The quarry, proposed by Aurora Construction Materials (ACM), will be located at 5575 South Gippsland Highway, extracting an estimated 13 million tonnes of sand to meet demands of Big Build projects and urban growth

Shadow Minister for Roads Danny O’Brien said the Allan Labor Government has failed to consider and plan for increased truck movements through the town.

“Road capacity and safety measures on the South Gippsland Highway, Westernport Road and McDonalds Track all come a poor second to Labor’s inner city big build.

“While not opposed to development – an expansion of an industry must also come with planned upgrades or improvements to our road network.”

Previous calls for a Lang Lang Bypass to divert heavy vehicles have gone unanswered, meanwhile quarry production in Victoria has grown by 14 per cent over the last three years.

Ms Bath said Labor’s priority is not the safety and liveability of Lang Lang’s residents.

“The hundreds of heavy haulage vehicles rumbling through town daily is an imposition.

“Lang Lang has 2,500 residents, with one main street where the primary school, local shops and many houses are located – one could imagine the outcry if this was Melbourne.

“Labor must communicate with locals and immediately provide an explanation on what it is doing to complete the planning works for the Lang Lang bypass.”