Murray Now

Completion of the Hume Highway bypass at Holbrook is expected in December 2012, but Greater Hume Shire Council is already taking an innovative approach to job creation to compensate for a decrease in traffic through the bustling town.

The Council is evaluating Expressions of Interest for the development of a Hume Highway Service Centre at Holbrook, in readiness for the completion of the bypass.

The Federal Government has committed to upgrading the entire length of the Hume Highway to a four lane divided carriageway by 2012. Under the Nation Building Program, $210 million has been allocated for the Holbrook bypass which will be the final link in the project.

An option to the west of Holbrook has been confirmed as the preferred route and, subject to further funding, construction is expected to commence in late 2010.

General Manager Greater Hume Shire, Steve Pinnuck says response to the recent call for Expressions of Interest for the Service Centre has been solid.

"We've got up to four hectares that can be developed, adjacent to the proposed Hume Highway bypass that will provide excellent exposure, with full access to north and south bound traffic," Mr Pinnuck said.

"Council will now evaluate responses over the next month or so. Early in the New Year we expect a preferred proposal will be accepted with a view to developing the site for completion by the end of 2012."

Greater Hume Shire Council acknowledges research by the Roads and Traffic Authority that indicates the possible loss of 70 to 90 jobs in the town as a result of the bypass. The creation of a Service Centre is expected to help off-set that.

"We believe the Service Centre has the potential to create more than 100 jobs," Mr Pinnuck said.

"Council views this project as a priority and is supported by a household poll we undertook in November 2008 that indicated overwhelming support for the establishment of a service centre at Holbrook."

Council is also looking at other strategies to boost visitor numbers to Holbrook, including continuing development of the submarine precinct and improved street scapes.

Meanwhile the completion of the Holbrook bypass will further assist Murray Now in highlighting the Murray Region's competitive advantages when it comes to business attraction and investment. The bypass will greatly improve safety and convenience for motorists as well as efficiency of freight movements along the Hume Highway which is the main transport corridor between Sydney and Melbourne.