The outer west’s booming population will place immense strain on roads and public transport unless urgent funding arrives in the May 6 state budget, a Wyndham MP warns.
Tarneit Labor MP Tim Pallas said Wyndham’s infrastructure was not coping with its annual growth of 12,000 people.
As reported by the Weekly, new population data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals Wyndham’s population rose by 98 per cent between June 2003 and June last year, from 95,776 to 189,618.
Mr Pallas said Wyndham desperately needed a $90 million investment to extend Armstrong Road – including an overpass of the rail line – to join with the Princes Freeway. He also called for funding to pave the way for duplication of over-congested roads, including Derrimut, Heaths, Sayers and Palmer roads.
Mr Pallas said the government must commit more funding to outer metropolitan roads.
“There is 17 per cent more traffic in Tarneit, Hoppers Crossing and Werribee, which is having a dramatic effect on liveability for people in the area,” he said.
‘‘Arterial roads in Wyndham are over- capacity and constantly congested.”
Mr Pallas said Wyndham also had among the worst transport network connections in the state, with few buses running after
9pm.
Western Metropolitan Liberal MP Andrew Elsbury would not comment on what items he had suggested for budget funding, but he told the Weekly his list for the outer west was extensive.
He said the government had been forced to make some tough decisions this year.
“Unfortunately, we can’t spend the entire budget on Wyndham,” he said.
“I’m sure I could find a way to spend it all on the region if given the chance, but that’s not realistic.”
