INNER western suburbs residents say they are “hopeful” Labor’s Westgate Tunnel Project will be dropped amid frustrations the government is trying to push the project through before the 2018 election.
Formerly known as the “Western Distributer”, the Westgate Tunnel Project is a $5.5 billion project with the intention of linking the Westgate Freeway with the Citylink Tollway via a tunnel to be dug underneath Yarraville.
Proposed project map for Westgate Tunnel Project. Source: Victorian Government
The project will be funded by taxpayers as well as by funds provided by an extension to Transurban’s tolling license on the Citylink freeway for another 15 years.
Residents say they are angry about the lack of consultation about the project.
Spotswood resident, Rosa McKenna, says:
“We have not been properly consulted. We have been given information but it just looks like a marketing exercise. We do not appear to be heard when we turn up to meetings and tell Transurban how we feel. We have started a community liaison group and have raised concerns with Transurban but unfortunately it hasn’t been the community input process we hoped it to be. We give them our feedback and they cherrypick want they want to hear.”
Numerous social media groups have popped up in opposition to the project and are being used by residents to coordinate their ideas.
The “Better West” group has been sharing information online as well as distributing fliers through letterboxing.
“We feel as though we are somewhat being bullied by the government in their determination to push this project through without properly consulting residents who will be affected. We are also displeased with our local representation- Wade Noonan has had Western Distributer representatives sitting with him at every meeting, so he has been coming across as a proponent of the project as opposed to listening to his constituents,” Ms McKenna said.
Mr Noonan, the State Member for Williamstown, declined to comment on “policies”.
The project is currently sitting in the Upper House, where the Labor party does not have a majority.
Residents argue the project will result in significant environmental damage, including a loss of open spaces and areas for sporting clubs, changes in air quality and major changes to heritage sites such as the Westgate Memorial.
Ms McKenna says residents are worried the population growth in the next decade, including the 7 – 10,000 people who will live in the proposed housing estate for the former Don’s site on Blackshaws Road, will mean traffic in the Spotswood area will become “unbearable”.
Greens MP for the Western Metropolitan Region, Colleen Hartland, has been campaigning heavily with residents against the project.
Greens MP Colleen Hartland and Greens Senator for Victoria, Janet Rice, want better public transport instead of another tollroad for Melbourne’s West.
The facts, according to The Greens.
Source: The Greens
