Bendigo ring-road plan returns

RESIDENTS are fearful that an old plan to secure a ring-road through Mandurang and Strathfieldsaye could rear its head again as part of the Bendigo Road Transport Strategy.A community information day to discuss the strategy was held yesterday and Mandurang South resident Grant Blennerhassett said he was wary of plans for a ring-road in Tannery Lane.“We are just concerned about the potential.“We moved there recently and we’re sitting on a good block.“We have fought it before and we will put up a hell of a fight again.”Mandurang resident Crawford Mouat said he also had reservations about a ring-road but he doubted it would ever get off the ground.“From what I can see it will probably go in the `too hard’ basket.“A lot needs to be resolved, including the environmental issues.”The ring-road in Tannery Lane was proposed in the Bendigo 2020 Transportation Study, which was adopted in 1993.VicRoads regional director Mal Kersting said the local input into the strategy was very important.“The population will increase, but the dynamics and the way the city is developing are also changing.”Mr Kersting said the number of people who attended yesterday’s information day was encouraging, and he wanted people to think about all transport modes.“They need to think about their transport needs in general.“We don’t want to encourage a necessary reliance on cars.“We are thinking about our carbon footprint a lot more.”The strategy is being developed by the council and VicRoads, and it will provide options to meet transport needs of industry and the community.It can be viewed at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/latestprojects and comments can be made until March 19.A draft plan is expected to be finished by mid-year.