The 93-page report will be released following a meeting with stakeholders where various groups and community members will get the first look at its recommendations.

At the time of publication, the report was expected to be released to the public at about noon on Friday.

The report will be designated a preliminary draft and will contain maps of different options for a truck and car bypass.

The report is part of stage one of the Horsham Integrated Transport Strategy, which will also consider the Horsham Aerodrome and traffic within Horsham’s central business district and residential areas.

After the report is released, residents and other concerned parties will have three weeks to make a submission on the report’s recommendations.

Horsham councillors approved the timeline at a meeting on July 18. 

Council was scheduled to debate its position on the bypass on September 19, just before the pre-election caretaker mode is set to begin.

Cr Tony Phelan said at the meeting it would be important to stress that council had not endorsed the report or its options.

Cr David Grimble, the transport committee’s chairman, said there had been pressure from VicRoads to come to a bypass conclusion.

“I’m not comfortable with being dove-tailed into this before council goes into caretaker mode,” he said.

Mayor Heather Phillips said transport decisions would not be made without the community’s input.

“Because it is a three-week consultation time, it is important that people be astute and have their say on transport around the municipality, around Horsham and on the bypass.

“We hope that the consultation is long enough for people to have their say.”

Cr Sue Exell urged residents to get online and look at the strategy’s development so far and have their own say.

The bypass options have been worked on and debated by VicRoads and Horsham council since 2012.