The issue is believed to be before the Victorian cabinet  with a report completed looking at potential options for the move. 

With a number of other cities and suburbs, including Dandenong, fighting for the benefits a relocated government department brings, there is a growing fear Ballarat could lose out on the move. 

Mr O’Brien said given the growing job loss crisis that is starting to hit the city, including the loss of more than 100 positions at Rivers, VicRoads could address some of the problem. 

The move was an election commitment made by the Coalition, however, despite being voted out of government, the issue has continued to stay on the agenda. 

The new government has repeatedly argued the Coalition did very little work on the relocation. 

“That is a rubbish claim, a huge amount of work was done by me as treasurer,  the former roads minister and the former premier,” he said. 

“It makes sense for Ballarat and it makes sense for VicRoads. It is not called melroads, it is called VicRoads.”

Mr O’Brien said he believed the main reason for the delay from the government was related to a fear that it may cause union backlash. 

“Our concern is the government has lost 10 months now, they should make the decision to go ahead with it and then everyone has certainty that it will occur. 

The Courier understands the government is considering a partial relocation which would see some parts of a government department move to Ballarat. The potential relocation of VicRoads was one of the biggest election commitments for the city and follows a long campaign from city leaders to see a government department located in the CBD. Under the Coalition, the move was planned for the controversial Civic Hall site. 

The Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has repeatedly refused to rule out the move saying the government is currently looking at the proposal.