The words are similarly speedy and slick-tongued "integrated transport master plan," "growing significant export market opportunities," and so on. The catch-all "investment and jobs" used three times demonstrates a myopic focus on growth.

In the words that formerly appeared at town entrances in Victoria, "please slow down". In the race to capture markets at breakneck speed, the environment the living system on which our existence depends, including its economy is profoundly damaged.

Ex-minister Guy's goal of creating a super US-style freeway assumed the people of Western Victoria want and need growth at any price. He was wrong.

Pause and consider this staggering statistic: the wanton tree felling in the short 47 km section of Beaufort to Ararat represents around 80 per cent of Victoria's permitted annual vegetation loss. Large, ancient hollow-rich habitat trees which pre-dated white settlement have now vanished.

This brings deep sadness to many. But it's not a contest. People do value employment. What they don't want is this insensitive smash-and-grab approach; the way the Committee for Ballarat apparently thinks is the only way: "Our way and the highway."

Here's another statistic: tourism in the Grampians region brings almost $1 billion annually to local communities.

Where's the sense in the tourism potential of "Gateway to the Grampians" towns Beaufort, Ararat and Stawell being wrecked by this fat freeway? Iconic roadside vegetation, beautiful landscape, and now even a state park trashed.

Will road lobby groups, including the Committee for Ballarat, compensate these towns?

This sore damage, out of haste, greed and short-sightedness, didn't need to happen.

Victoria has abundant cleared land; anyone who has flown over Western Victoria knows that. In the most cleared area of Australia's most cleared state our wildlife habitat is squeezed to roadsides.

So many trees are now history so little habitat remains. Why couldn't the Committee for Ballarat's freeway have simply been placed elsewhere?