Decision Making
The John Paterson (1975) represented a significant shift from previous practices in Australian Transportation
Planning; by actively seeking the involvement of the local community to ensure that their thinking and conclusions
adequately reflect the values and preferences of Geelong, which was called as ‘modified technocratic’. Two social
surveys were carried out in order to ascertain the public needs and impacts due to the three proposed alternatives and
identify community characteristics and attitudes. The study concluded by that alternative 3 minimises social and
environmental costs associated with traffic growth, road planning and that strategy is consistent with community
preference. The main reasons for the decisions were as follows: The study stated that the Western Bypass is the long
term solution that would provide a satisfactory transport solution and minimise impact of traffic on local roads and
aligns with Community approval. This Alignment will reduce the social impact on housing, neighbourhoods and on
visual and physical characteristics of Geelong. The Geelong Regional Planning Authority accepted the report and
was placed for public exhibition in 1977. After public consultation, it was accepted and incorporated into “Geelong
Regional Planning Scheme” as an “amendment No.21”. This was gazetted on the 9th of July 1990 as “Proposed
Freeway Reservation”. When it was gazetted, it became to responsibility of Country Roads Board (now VicRoads)
to provide compensation for land acquisition.