Families demand answers as truck bypass threatens homes

From the kitchen window of their home in Victoria's east, Kris and Rebecca Grattan fear their rural outlook will soon be replaced by the roar and headlights of heavy trucks if a planned $21-million bypass crosses their land.

The couple say they have spent almost a decade "in limbo" as plans for the proposed Sale Alternative Truck Route sat idle due to funding delays and renewed planning.

The project, jointly funded by state and federal governments, would redirect freight traffic, including B-double trucks, away from the Sale township through Myrtlebank in a bid to save truck drivers approximately five minutes in travel time.

The Victorian government has settled on the new roundabout site and bypass route, which passes through the backyards of three families, requiring compulsory acquisition of some of their land.

The Grattans and their neighbours support freight route upgrades, but want authorities to consider one of the other bypass alignments which would cross into vacant, unoccupied farmland instead of carving up land so close to their homes.

Mr Grattan said the bypass idea was first raised by the government in 2017.

"There was never any definite or confirmed or preferred route at that time … and then it all sort of went quiet because they [the government] didn't receive any funding for the project," Mr Grattan said.

He said now, when the state was so far in debt, it seemed odd that the project was going ahead at all.

"Our biggest issues are really the lack of consultation, privacy, exposure, light pollution and noise pollution," Mr Grattan said.

"We really can't make a decision … [to build in our backyard] I can't even plant a tree because I don't know where anything is going."

Way of life disrupted

Farmer and greyhound breeder Daniel Mizzi said he was concerned about safety, noise and the impact on his livestock and animals.

He said the bypass would run within metres of his daughter's bedroom and he was worried his family would be exposed to danger if a truck was involved in an accident and veered off the road.

"There's two kids' bedrooms there and that's quite close … so safety is probably the number one factor," Mr Mizzi said.

Dividing his property would also greatly disrupt his farming operations, requiring him to move his cattle back and forth across the new road as they require regular rotations, he said.

Mr Mizzi would also have to cross the bypass to start his irrigation pump, as well as transferring tractors from one side to the other.

Additionally, he would be forced to downsize and relocate his greyhound enclosure to a different area.

Neighbour David Turnbull runs a distillery and said the bypass would sever his barley paddocks and limit future growth.

He said 150 trees would have to be ripped out to make way for the new bypass.

"I planted nearly 200 trees along the back road to stop all the road noise and now it's going to be within 10 to 20 metres of our property," he said.

"There is going to be an extra 100 B-double trucks go past our back door every day now," he said.

"Not one person has been out and had a look or even talked to us about it," Mr Turnbull said.

"There's an option there to do it in another spot which doesn't affect anyone, no families, but they just won't look at it."

More consultation needed, MP says

Local federal MP and deputy Nationals leader Darren Chester said he supported the need for freight infrastructure, but questioned how much consultation was undertaken with the residents.

"It's critically important we get it right and minimise the impact on local landholders," he said.

"What they've done so far is talk at the residents rather than listen to their concerns."

He said transparency was needed around how the alignment was chosen.

"The amount of disruptions going to occur for those three landholders is very significant; and to compulsorily acquire their properties in the manner proposed, there has to be a good reason for it," Mr Chester said.

"The residents I think have put forward a very strong case for an alternative approach to the project."

Industry says bypass will save time

Transport industry group, South East Australian Transport Strategy (SEATS) has lobbied for the new road and roundabout.

Executive officer Greg Pullen said no matter what route was chosen, a bypass was essential to save on fuel and travel time.

"Trucks don't like that sort of environment [driving through town], and also the drivers, because it makes them slow down, they lose momentum, they've got to start from scratch again," he said.

"It's mainly geared for the trucking industry rather than have individual cars bypass the town."

However, Google Maps already directs everyday traffic along the existing road that bypasses Sale.

A Department of Transport spokesperson said four alignment options were assessed against safety, traffic efficiency and network performance, with the preferred route chosen as the most balanced option.

"By developing the Sale Alternative Truck Route, we're investing in safer road infrastructure for current and future traffic as well as meeting the growing needs of the region," the spokesperson said.

"We recognise this process can be challenging and we will continue to work with impacted landowners and minimise impact where possible."

The spokesperson said the residents' preferred route, which goes around their properties, "introduced several potential safety risks".

Wellington Shire Council mayor Cindy Madeley, whose municipality includes Sale and Myrtlebank, said the project was "critical" for the region but acknowledged community concerns.

"Council has asked the Department of Transport and Planning to continue direct engagement with affected landholders and to clearly outline how the preferred alignment was selected, including their consideration of alternative options," she said.