The roads authority was the sole opponent to plans by Leo Kelly to build 10 units including six on the waterfront in Irvine Parade near the town’s visitor information centre.

Moira Shire approved a planning permit for the multi-million dollar project in March, but VicRoads instigated the objection which was scheduled to be heard in VCAT last Thursday.

VicRoads are planning to upgrade Irvine Parade to be a major link road to their preferred grey route crossing for the replacement Yarrawonga-Mulwala bridge.

But the green route, located further west of the exising bridge and grey route alignment, was a resounding victor in a recent plebiscite conducted by the Victorian Electoral Commission in Yarrawonga to determine the community’s preference for the bridge route.

VicRoads played down any link between the withdrawal of the VCAT action, the plebiscite result and a potential switch to the green route.

“VicRoads is pleased that a positive outcome could be achieved for both parties,” regional director Nicki Kyriakou said.

“We are continuing with the planning study for Grey Route Connection B and the connection to the Murray Valley Highway.”

The project will commence subject to the conditions agreed to by council earlier this year.

A major concern stated by VicRoads was access to parking within the unit development and setbacks from Irvine Parade.

“It is good VicRoads have seen the project my way and have decided to step out of my way so I can get on with it,” he said.

Mr Kelly is a well-known supporter of the green route for the $100 million bridge.

“It is the only way it has to go,” he said.

“We need to build a bridge for the future of Yarrawonga and Mulwala so that our great grand-children can trade in a future world where bigger trucks will be on the roads and all those sorts of issues.”