Projects

Beaufort Bypass

We prepared an Environment Effects Statement (EES) for a potential Western Highway bypass of Beaufort. 

This is a planning project and there is no funding for construction.

Project status:

Planned

Planning Scheme Amendment update - February 2026

The Minister for Planning has used her powers under section 20(4) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to prepare, adopt and approve Amendment C50pyrn to the Pyrenees Planning Scheme. The amendment came into effect when notice of its approval is published in the Victoria Government Gazette on 6 March 2026.

Amendment C50pyrn can be found here.

Amendment C50pyrn facilitates the use and development of land for the Beaufort Bypass Project. It does this by:

  • applying the Specific Controls Overlay (SCO2) to the project land to introduce an incorporated document to provide the planning approval required to deliver the project, and
  • applying the Public Acquisition Overlay (PAO1) to the land that is to be acquired for the project (C2 alignment).

Overview

The Western Highway is one of Victoria’s busiest rural highways. As the principal road link between Melbourne and Adelaide, the Western Highway serves interstate trade between Victoria and South Australia. It is also the key transport corridor through Victoria’s western districts, supporting farming, regional tourism, and a range of manufacturing and service activities.

The highway currently passes through Beaufort, which is the last township stop before metropolitan Melbourne. A Beaufort bypass would address existing and future traffic and safety challenges, improve freight routes and improve the amenity and safety of the Beaufort community.

Following extensive planning investigations and an Environment Effects Statement (EES), C2 was confirmed as the preferred option. Option C2 is an 11km route north of the township and links with completed sections of the Western Highway duplication to the east and west of Beaufort. 

The EES and draft Planning Scheme Amendment (C50pyrn) were exhibited for public review, comment and submissions in 2022.

The EES process:

  • identified how the project planned to avoid, reduce and manage environmental impacts
  • discussed how the primary approvals followed the EES process
  • informed decision-making on the bypass planning project under Victorian legislation

The EES investigated impacts the route would have on:

  • Traffic and transport
  • Biodiversity
  • Aboriginal cultural heritage
  • Historic heritage
  • Surface water
  • Social
  • Planning and land use
  • Regional Economy
  • Landscape and visual
  • Soils and geology
  • Groundwater
  • Noise and vibration

The EES process showed Option C2 had the least impact on native vegetation, registered aboriginal sites, historically important areas and Camp Hill. The option also required less land acquisition than other options.

Next Steps

The Beaufort Bypass is a planning project and there is no funding commitment for construction.

Get in touch

Email: [email protected]

Call:   133 778