A PUSH for the state government to ease West Gate congestion by prioritising a much-needed second river crossing has ground to a halt.
Tabling
the Napthine government’s first budget yesterday, Treasurer Michael
O’Brien earmarked $294 million over two years to begin building the
eastern section of the East-West Link first, joining the Eastern Freeway
and CityLink.
The 18-kilometre road project will eventually extend to the Western Ring Road and include a second river crossing.
Wyndham mayor Heather Marcus said the council’s cries had fallen on deaf ears and she was “extremely disappointed” with the decision.
“I can probably speak on behalf of all mayors in the western suburbs,” she said, “as we have lobbied so hard for them to start the western link first. Now all the lobbying will begin again, and we will be lobbying hard.”
But Western Metropolitan Liberal MP Andrew Elsbury defended the government’s decision to fund the eastern end first.
“We had to start the project somewhere. We have got this first stage under way and that will improve traffic by diverting people away from the M1 corridor. It will connect the Eastern Freeway with the Tullamarine Freeway and alleviate traffic using the tunnel.”
Wyndham also missed out on funding for upgrades to key arterial roads, despite a council study this year finding that 15 VicRoads-controlled roads were at or over capacity.
Tarneit Labor MP Tim Pallas said Wyndham’s rapid population growth meant it deserved more money to ease congestion.
Cr Marcus said the council would stand by its stance that “if there’s no infrastructure, there will be no growth”. “We are the fastest-growing city in Australia and, coupled with Melton, we thought we would see more funding for infrastructure out this way.”
More than $88 million has flowed to Wyndham in pre-budget announcements, including a new mental unit, two new schools and road upgrades.
— Laura Little and Nick Toscano
