Six Victorian municipalities in the Loddon Campaspe corridor have signed-up to a new strategy that prioritises key transport projects needed to drive future progress in the region.
The Loddon Campaspe Integrated Transport Strategy considers the transport drivers and issues for Greater Bendigo, Loddon, Campaspe, Mount Alexander, Macedon Ranges and Central Goldfields and endorses a strong and unified approach to seeking project funding and support.
The strategy has taken around 18 months to complete and has been undertaken by the six councils in partnership with: Vic Roads; Public Transport Victoria; the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning; Regional Development Victoria; and the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources.
It lists 46 projects for development or advocacy, including 10 key projects:
- Murray Basin Rail Project
- Echuca Moama bridge
- Capacity improvements on the Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca passenger rail services
- Increased passenger rail services throughout the region
- Bridges, structures and higher mass limit access study
- Develop a functional road use hierarchy for freight, community access and tourist routes, then prioritise investment on these road networks
- A freight hub study for Loddon Campaspe region
- A railway station access improvement program, encouraging active and public transport
- Rail trails and recreational tourism bike networks
- Small towns connectivity plans.
The strategy acknowledges that the projects require support from other levels of government and in some cases the local councils will only play an advocacy role. It also includes a new evaluation tool to assist in building strong business cases for projects and assist in developing applications for State and Federal funding.
Greater Bendigo City Council Mayor, Rod Fyffe, said, “The Loddon Campaspe Regional Transport Strategy is an important regional initiative which will help councils across the region to continue to deliver improved services to the community. Benefits should be seen in tourism, business costs, safety and convenience.
“By allowing the region to have a clear focus on what are the most significant regional issues, we will be better placed to coordinate our activities for project funding.”
Chief Executive Officer, Craig Niemann said, “The Loddon Campaspe Regional Transport Strategy is a living example where officers from across councils and government are working together to improve regional infrastructure.
“It is not unusual for a transport asset to be within one municipality but still deliver benefits to the other municipalities. By taking a regional co-operative approach we are able to help one another and share expertise.”
