However, councillors want planning minister Richard Wynne to take responsibility for administration and enforcement of the planning amendment.

Councillors agreed to give their support to the planning amendment to allow the duplication and its associated construction infrastructure with conditions:

The Ararat Rural City officer’s report acknowledged the environmental and Aboriginal cultural issues raised by opponents of the project, some of whom have challenged VicRoads in the Supreme Court.

Keep Original Route Supporters have threatened to take Ararat Rural City Council to the Victorian Civil and Administrative tribunal if councillors give planning permission for sand and gravel pits for the duplication. 

“There has been significant community interest in this project given the safety and transport connectivity benefits the project will bring, but also the significant environmental impact the project has had particularly on the large old red gums that have been removed in previous sections,” the report stated 

“VicRoads have indicated that the next section of the highway will involve approximately 42ha of native vegetation removal for the construction of duplication between Buangor and Ararat.

“Ararat Rural City has previously supported the duplication and the planning approval process followed. However it has also acknowledged the importance of environmental impact, community consultation and responsibility for compliance and these issues should be addressed by the Planning Minister.”