VicRoads could be in for a lawsuit if the Melbourne Road Hume Highway exit closes, with one Wodonga business threatening legal action at Monday’s community meeting.
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The meeting, hosted at Blacklocks Ford and called by motel owner Russell Mackie, attracted business owners based in Melbourne Road and surrounds who believe their livelihoods would be threatened.
Belvoir Village Motel owners Lloyd and Marianne Deane told VicRoads if the proposal moved ahead it would break the promise of their predecessors, the Country Roads Board.
“They conceded our business would be worse off when the highway was built but promised we’d always be the first entrance into Wodonga,” Mr Deane said, stating McKoy Street didn’t count.
“We were given a promise 37 years ago and if this goes ahead you’ll find a legal case on.”
Businesses accused VicRoads of a “cloak and dagger” approach to planning, with Mr Mackie saying no businesses he had spoken to knew about the plan in time to attend a VicRoads meeting.
He said it would only take a couple of business closures for the area to become a complete “ghost town”.
Acting regional manager Steve McCallum conceded VicRoads needed to and would improve communication.
Project manager Cathy Brady said the majority of the 117 responses received in consultation focused on McKoy Street, which would be VicRoads’ priority.
Benambra MP Bill Tilley said he also was not aware of the initial meeting but respected VicRoads representatives made the effort to attend the short-notice meeting.
Mr McCallum said VicRoads must get community feedback on all different options but he personally didn’t believe closing the Melbourne Road exit was the right decision, but no decisions had been made.
“We have to look at all options, this is an option, it might be a stupid option, but it’s an option and we put it out so people can consider.”