Kilmore is already paying the price for infrastructure investment that has failed to keep pace with its growth, and the pressure will only intensify as thousands more people call the town home over the coming decades.
Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell MP and Senator the Hon Matt Canavan met Mitchell Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Mary Agostino and Mayor John Dougall in Kilmore to discuss the infrastructure investment needed to preserve the town’s liveability as it grows.
Kilmore is subject to significant planned growth over coming decades, but residents are already dealing with congestion, poor connections between housing estates and the commercial precinct, and roads that were not designed for today’s traffic volumes.
The John Street link road is a practical project that can make a difference now. By connecting growing residential areas to Kilmore’s main commercial precinct, it would give residents a more direct route to shops and services, reduce unnecessary traffic through the town centre, and improve the amenity and connectedness of the community.
Mitchell Shire Council has committed funding to planning and design work for the link road. The next step must be a funded pathway to construction, rather than allowing another essential regional project to remain on the drawing board.
“Kilmore does not have the luxury of waiting until the population arrives before governments begin investing in the roads and connections the town needs,” Mr Birrell said.
“The infrastructure shortfall is already affecting residents and businesses. If we fail to act now, congestion will worsen and the qualities that make Kilmore such an attractive regional town will be put at risk.
“The John Street link road would connect housing estates with the main commercial precinct, take pressure off existing roads and make it easier for people to move around their own community.
“This is the kind of enabling infrastructure that should be built before growth compounds the problem. Investment is needed now.”
Senator Canavan said regional communities should not have to accept declining liveability as the price of population growth.
“When governments plan for growth, they must also plan and pay for the infrastructure that makes that growth work,” Senator Canavan said.
“Kilmore should be able to welcome new residents while retaining the character, convenience and liveability of a small regional town.
“The John Street link road is a sensible and achievable investment. Governments should work with Council to fund it and get construction underway.”