Victorian Roads Minister confident in Western Highway duplication project proceeding between Ararat and Buangor

“Thunderbirds are go on that,” Mr Donnellan said.

“It’s currently before the treasurer to sign off so we can appoint a constructor.

“The planning minister has given us approval.”

Mr Donnellan made the comments on Monday during an announcement of $20 million of works for the Western Highway from Stawell to the South Australian border.

In February, work to duplicate the Western Highway between Ballarat and Stawell was suspended indefinitely because VicRoads failed to renew an expired planning permit for the project.

At the time of the error, sheep farmer MairiAnne Mackenzie had already taken action in the supreme court and an Aboriginal cultural claim was also made for a tree near Mount Langi Ghiran.

Mr Donnellan acknowledged the impact of delays.

“This has been a frustrating process, especially for many people in the community and a frustrating process for me,” he said.

“We have been through a torturous planning process and it has been difficult but we have got through and we will now start the construction and get this road going.

“It has been a long time coming. A lot of it was a situation that occurred before I was the minister.”

The project’s challenges might not be over, as the Keep the Original Route Supporters are exploring further legal action.

Ms Mackenzie said KORS wanted the project to go ahead but claimed there were still unresolved planning issues 

“We've found new information, ignored by VicRoads; it shows that making use of the existing highway is the fastest, safest  and cheapest  way to build and also has the least environmental impact,” she said.

KORS member Russell Pearse said the planning amendments through Ararat Rural City Council had not been transparent.

“Our group is still keen to see a full, independent review of recent data which we are confident would show that a narrow northern alignment would be delivered sooner, safer and saving over $50m,” he said.

“There is a very real need for some or all of those savings to be spent on local roads.”