The first meeting of Horsham's Bypass Planning Community Reference Group (CRG) was held last week, marking the beginning of a process to determine the community's preference for a potential bypass route around Horsham.
Mayor Cr Brian Klowss, who chaired the meeting, said members were briefed on the growing volume of truck movements through the municipality.
"The meeting heard that truck movements through Horsham have increased significantly in recent years," Cr Klowss said.
"While some of these trucks are starting or finishing their journeys in Horsham, through-traffic is contributing to noise, emissions and a loss of amenity, as well as potential safety concerns-particularly in and around the CBD, schools, and residential areas along the three highways."
The meeting also noted that a number of major regional developments-including the Farm Frites potato processing facility, mineral sands projects, renewable energy developments, and the potential for a major grain processing facility-are likely to drive further increases in heavy vehicle traffic.
"This existing and future truck traffic is why we are asking the CRG to help determine whether Horsham needs a bypass, and if so, where it should be located," Cr Klowss said.
The CRG will provide advice to Council through a two-stage process. The first stage will focus on developing a set of objective criteria to assess the impacts of different bypass options on the community.
"The second stage will involve considering a range of potential bypass alignments against these criteria," Cr Klowss said.
"Once this work is complete, we will return to the community with the CRG's evaluation to seek further feedback on whether the assessment fairly reflects the merits of the different options. At this stage, no preferred routes have been identified."
Cr Klowss said the CRG is working towards releasing a community survey by the end of April to help inform the development of the evaluation criteria.
"The survey will seek input on the values and issues that matter most to the community in relation to a potential bypass," he said.
"The CRG provided valuable input at its first meeting, helping shape a draft survey which will be finalised at its next meeting on 28 April."
The survey is expected to be open for five weeks to allow ample time for community participation.
"We are also keen to understand how best to engage with different groups across Horsham's diverse community. We encourage community groups to contact Council to ensure they are appropriately included in this process," Cr Klowss said.
