VicRoads will present a draft bypass route option at community drop-in sessions next week.

VicRoads rwestern region director Ewen Nevett said a route option and five interchange concept designs would be shown on July 25 and 29 in Ararat.

“This draft option is a chance for us to continue conversations about the bypass since our previous drop-in sessions throughout 2016,” he said.

“Since the last round of community feedback, we’ve further developed the interchange concept designs and drafted a bypass route option connecting to these interchanges and key roads.

“We want to hear people’s ideas and gather feedback on what we’ve developed so far. Community feedback is important in informing the draft route option and interchange concept designs as planning continues.”

Mr Nevett said the VicRoads statewide leadership team would attend the July 25 session from 5.30pm.

“The leadership group are our decision-makers and they want to speak with people living in Ararat and the

surrounding region about all things country roads,” he said.

“This visit is part of a statewide initiative to meet as many country Victorians as possible to understand how they rely on the regional arterial road network and gives the community an opportunity to shape what happens next to their roads.”

The community sessions will be held at Ararat RSL function room, 74-76 High Street, Ararat on July 25 from 3pm – 7.30pm and July 29 from 10am – 1pm.

Those who can’t make it to the sessions and want to join in the discussion about the Ararat bypass or country roads can visit www.engagevicroads.vic.gov.au. Ararat content will be live from July 24.