Greater Shepparton’s population forecast for 2025 is 71,028 and is forecast to grow to 81,022 by 2046, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This increase in population puts more pressure on the road network and highlights the issues around integration for the transport volumes the roads need to carry.
“Our region is a major freight and logistics hub with significant manufacturing and production industries located in Greater Shepparton,” Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said.
“This is set to grow further with the development of GV Link Enterprise Park and the availability of industrial land.”
The lack of a safe and resilient road network was highlighted during the October 2022 flood event, where Mooroopna and Shepparton were cut off from each other creating supply chain issues and impacting business and industry.
The Causeway flooding effectively prevented key staff, including hospital and emergency services staff, from getting to their workplaces due to the lack of access across the Goulburn River.
Cr Sali said a second river crossing able to withstand high flood levels is the critical factor for a resilient road network.
“A new Goulburn River Bridge will provide confidence for the region, ensuring residents know that they will not be trapped either side of the river in the event of another major flood,” he said.
“Our road network is not connected and not safe. We have intersections that need to be signalised or have roundabouts installed, and road upgrades that provide for heavy vehicle movement east-west as well as north-south.”
“The amount of funding required is significant with most of the work required for non-Council owned roads. We are calling on all sides of politics to commit to providing budget for construction of these projects and invest in road maintenance services,” Cr Sali said.
For more information and details on the road investment needed, visit our Federal Advocacy website.
