Chance to log on to sound off

By Melissa Grant
A special sub-group of the Kooweerup Township Committee last week launched the website kooweebypass.com.au, which is dedicated to pushing politicians’ buttons to bring forward the construction of a town bypass.
Caroline Roff, a member of the Kooweerup Township bypass road sub-committee, said it was imperative that the public got behind the website.
“We need them to log on straight away and send a message,” she said.
“If politicians who make these decisions can see the public support we might get moved up the priority list.”
After logging onto the site, people can select one of four pre-written messages, which can be edited, or send their own.
“It’s not hard, they don’t have to write anything themselves. It’s as easy as going to the website, putting your name in and pressing send,” Ms Roff said.
Thousands of vehicles clog the Kooweerup’s major roads every day, with traffic coming to a near standstill on public holiday weekends.
Members of the township committee also estimate that trucks travel through the township at a rate of 90 per hour.
According to the website, Kooweerup needs a bypass to restore the town’s tranquillity and to make the trip easier and quicker for the truck drivers and tourists heading to South Gippsland.
Ms Roff said signs would soon be erected in the township to direct people to the website.
“They are designed and ready to go,” she said.
VicRoads drew up two preferred routes for a Kooweerup bypass more than two years ago, however government funds are yet to be committed.
In January, then acting Roads Minister Jacinta Allan said the preferred bypass alignment would be released publicly in the first half of this year.
Duncan Elliott, Regional Director, VicRoads Metropolitan South East, declined to say what the hold-up was, but said the final assessment of route options for the bypass was nearing completion.
“This process is being undertaken within a larger planning study for the future of Healesville-Kooweerup Road, between the Pakenham Bypass and the South Gippsland Highway,” he said.