WIMMERA farmers have urged Horsham Rural City Council to consider all viable options for a bypass of the city.
Council reached a stalemate at a meeting on Monday night when they voted against explore other options for a bypass alignments.
Victorian Farmers Federation Wimmera branch president Daniel Keam said following the decision, he would now urge both Planning Minister Richard Wynne and council to consider all viable options available for the bypass.
"If Horsham is to be the major centre of the Wimmera, let's make sure that the option to be selected not only benefits Horsham and its residents, but also the greater Wimmera community,” he said.
“This is a strategic decision that will set up the future for residents, businesses and the farming community.”
Mr Keam hoped council would set up a good process to discuss the current gaps of information and desired outcomes.
"As farmers some of our key concerns are enhancing community safety by significantly reducing truck movements through the centre of Horsham,” he said.
“Other concerns include ease of access to the major industrial locations; not restricting future north or south runway extension for the Horsham aerodrome; ensuring any route has provisions for agricultural machinery movements; and providing a solution that assists the region’s growth.”
Mr Keam said although the bypass planning felt like a drawn out process to date, it was the biggest infrastructure project what would define the city for the rest of its existence.
“It needs strategic thinking that provides for the region's future,” he said.
