UPDATE: Residents of South Kyneton are rallying for urgent improvements in connectivity to their town, backing a petition that demands the construction of vital infrastructure. The petition outlines plans for a much-needed pedestrian path from the end of Mollison Street to Kyneton Train Station and a second vehicle bridge over the Campaspe River from Edgecombe Street.
Rick Lander, spokesperson for the South Kyneton Connectivity Petition, emphasizes that these infrastructure links are critical as the community continues to grow. “These projects are essential for enhancing access and mobility in our area,” he stated. The Macedon Ranges Council has recognized both projects in the Kyneton Movement Network Plan, but funding remains a significant barrier.
Residents are frustrated as issues surrounding the pedestrian path stem from land owned by VicTrack, which has ignored community requests for nearly a decade. VicTrack confirmed that the land designated for the shared path is currently utilized for V/Line railway operations and maintenance, rendering it unsuitable for development.
In response, Dom Testoni, director of council assets and operations, assured residents that both projects are still priority items. He highlighted plans for a pedestrian crossing at Campaspe Drive and Mollison Street to facilitate access to the train station, separate from the VicTrack-owned land.
“We are actively working with developers to advocate for unlocking a parcel of land that could assist in establishing the proposed pedestrian path, but progress has been slow,” Testoni explained. A concept design for the much-anticipated bridge has been completed, with developer contributions secured to partially fund the project.
However, Testoni warned that the bridge remains a medium-to-long-term infrastructure priority, contingent on traffic volumes exceeding the capacity of the existing road network. The estimated cost for the bridge project is around $12.7 million (excluding GST), but there is currently no confirmed timeframe for construction, as it depends on further development in the region and securing additional funding from various levels of government.
Residents are urged to support the petition, available at kynetononriverside.au/south-kyneton-connectivity-petition, to amplify their voices for better infrastructure. As South Kyneton gears up for growth, the community’s collective push for better connectivity is not just a matter of convenience, but a vital step towards improving the quality of life for all residents.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops.
