Cardinia calls for truck bypass to be fast-tracked

Council is seeking $24 million from the Federal and Victorian governments to construct the new bypass road, which will divert large trucks from the Lang Lang town centre. 

Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Jack Kowarzik said it was essential to establish an alternative route connecting quarries directly to the South Gippsland Highway to improve safety and reduce the impact on the local community. 

“Residents have put up with heavy vehicles on Lang Lang’s roads for long enough, Council’s latest traffic surveys show that more than 80 trucks per hour travel through the main town centre,” Mayor Kowarzik said. 

“We understand that sand extraction is a major industry in Lang Lang and that sand is essential to the building industry across Melbourne.  

"But how many trucks on Lang Lang roads is too many? Currently, we have no way of regulating the number of trucks using the road through the shopping precinct, leading to increased traffic congestion, heightened safety risks for residents, and potential environmental damage. Similar situations elsewhere have shown that unregulated quarry traffic can lead to accidents, infrastructure damage, and significant environmental harm. The unchecked expansion of sand mining could exacerbate these issues, severely impacting the quality of life in our township. This is why a bypass is desperately needed. Without it, our community faces an uncertain and potentially hazardous future." 

Mayor Kowarzik said there was widespread concern in the community regarding large trucks passing homes, shops and the primary school. 

“In order to support this major industry, the residents of Lang Lang are forced to deal with degraded roads, dangerous streets, and constant air and noise pollution. Trucks travelling past the school entrance and bus stop is not something that any parent should have to worry about on a daily basis.  

“Our community has been trying to divert heavy vehicles from the main streets of Lang Lang for more than a decade, and residents deserve for their safety and wellbeing to be put first.” 

Analysis by Council has revealed that truck traffic through Lang Lang town centre has increased significantly in recent years. The latest data shows that more than 80 trucks an hour travel through the main shopping strip in Lang Lang on weekdays – this is an average of one truck every 45 seconds. Council’s previous snapshot of truck-only movements undertaken in late 2024 showed that 50 trucks per hour were passing through Lang Lang’s streets and surveys from previous years showed 30 trucks per hour, so the volume of trucks using Lang Lang’s roads continues to grow. 

Council has commenced land acquisitions and initial planning of the bypass and has made multiple submissions to the Victorian Government in response to their plans to expand the quarries.  

Council is calling for the Federal election candidates to commit to supporting this critical infrastructure project. 

“This is a significant project that requires the support of the incoming Federal Government to achieve a range of economic and social benefits, including supporting this major sand extraction industry which will help the State and Federal governments deliver infrastructure projects and support housing development across the south east region.  

“The project will also result in more jobs and economic opportunity and, most importantly, will significantly improve the health, wellbeing and safety of local residents and the liveability of the local community.” 

To learn more about Cardinia Shire Council’s advocacy priorities, please visit: www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/advocacy