By Esther Lauaki
Renewed calls to duplicate Ballan Road could go unanswered as other Wyndham road projects take priority.
Fed up commuters earlier this month complained about congestion around the newly opened Wyndham Christian College prompting a push for the duplication, as reported by Star Weekly.
Werribee MP Tim Pallas made no commitment to the issue which has plagued commuters and residents for more than a decade.
Mr Pallas said he would continue to advocate to upgrade arterial roads across the electorate including Ballan Road.
“Works are underway on the $1.8 billion Western Roads package upgrading eight high-priority outer suburban roads across Wyndham,” he said.
The Western Roads Upgrades package includes resurfacing, but not duplicating, Ballan Road.
Long-time Ballan Road campaigner Doug Mullett said he was “at a loss” as to how to get action.
“I’ve beat my head for over 10 years now,” Mr Mullett said.
“In the 1960s, Ballan Road was a single lane sealed road and there were farms, a few houses and some RAAF establishments along the road … The road was single carriageway, dual lane.
“Now there are multiple estates being developed, higher commercial and heavy traffic volumes along Ballan Road and the road is still single carriageway, dual lane.”
Mr Mullett said residents formed the Fix Ballan Road action group a decade ago and, despite public meetings, attendance by politicians and continual publicity – “nothing has been done”.
Wyndham Christian College spokesman Rob Ward said the school’s master
plan includes a further access road to Wollahra Rise.
“With over 12,000 people moving into Wyndham every year and a huge new shopping centre under construction across the road, we believe we should all be lobbying government at all levels to invest in the west, including duplicating Ballan Road.”
VicRoads did not respond to Star Weekly’s questions.
