mmg.com.au

It’s ‘‘business as usual’’ at Nagambie, despite the opening of the long-awaited bypass being delayed again until early next year.

The opening of the $188.7 million bypass was delayed in May to allow road-sealing to be completed after winter.

But VicRoads announced this week a further delay because of the long, wet winter.

VicRoads project director Andrew Williams said since starting back on the site after the winter break, the contractor had found more work needed to be done on the pavement layer of the road before the final bitumen seal could be laid.

‘‘At the end of the day we do not want to compromise on quality in the interest of meeting the previous late 2012 opening date,’’ Mr Williams said.

He said unpredictable weather had significantly delayed the project which started in December 2009.

He said more than 200 working days had been lost because of bad weather since the project began.

Shire of Strathbogie Mayor Deb Swan said while the delay was disappointing it was ‘‘business as usual’’ in the town.

‘‘We thought this may occur. It’s a little bit disappointing — we were hoping not to have to worry about traffic during our New Year celebrations, but we’re looking forward to a great holiday season,’’ Cr Swan said.

She said a community consultation process was still underway to draw up plans for redevelopment in the town once the bypass had been opened. A draft concept plan was released last month for public comment showing two one-way roads divided by trees and parkland.

‘‘We see ourselves as a town that will develop rapidly with the lake as a drawcard, but there is nothing set in concrete at the moment,’’ Cr Swan said.

Once completed, the Nagambie bypass will extend the four-lane freeway route for 17km east of the town between Mitchellstown and Moss Rds.

The project is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian governments.