By Alesha Capone
A resident has expressed fears that Wyndham Vale and Manor Lakes will become “practically unliveable” thanks to more trucks using Ballan Road, under a pilot project approved by the state government.
Kathleen (who asked for her surname to be withheld), a member of both the Werribee River Association and NatureWest, said she has several concerns about the Strategic Extractive Resource Areas (SERA) Pilot Project in South Gippsland and Wyndham.
The state government has selected the two municipalities for the pilot, to trial new planning scheme controls over existing quarry operations and on land where new quarrying operations could potentially be established.
Last year, Star Weekly published a story in which Wyndham Cr Mia Shaw said she was worried the pilot project could lead to more trucks using local roads.
Katheen said Department of Transport data shows that 18,000 vehicles use the road daily.
“Anyone that lives in Wyndham can attest to Ballan Road being a nightmare,” she said.
Kathleen said the road, which often has unsealed and muddy shoulders, clearly needs to be duplicated.
“The state government has literally done the opposite by approving the SERA pilot in Wyndham, and will ensure diabolical levels of traffic around Manor Lakes, Wyndham Vale, Werribee and even into Hoppers Crossing.”
Kathleen said that with more trucks using Ballan Road, drivers would “inevitably get tired of being stuck behind slow, heavy trucks that damage the road surface, and will never be able to get anywhere on time”.
“There will be more smashes, more delays, and quite possibly loss of life on Ballan Road,” she said.
She also said there was not enough publicity about the SERA community consultation process.
A state government spokesperson said more than 300 submissions were received regarding SERA pilot, “highlighting good engagement with the local community”.
“We’ve listened to the community and adapted planning controls to ensure residents and the environment are protected from inappropriate development without compromising access to vital quarry resources,” the spokesperson said.
“As part of the Wyndham SERA implementation, further work is underway to study transport improvements and identify options to improve affected roads that reduce the impact of quarry truck movements on local communities.”
