Transport campaigners are calling on the state government to take control of the consultation process for the $5.5 billion Westlink Distributor proposal.
Transurban has begun its community consultation period by running a series of inner-west “pop-ups” and holding the first of five community information sessions.
But Public Transport Not Traffic campaign manager Berish Bilander said consultation should be run by the state government, “not a company that exists to induce traffic”.
“We have contacted the premier and others to tell them of our shock that they are going down this route,” he said.
Mr Bilander raised concerns about the likely impact of the motorway tunnel emerging alongside Yarraville Gardens and whether it would halve inner-west truck traffic as claimed by Transurban.
“This is a company that exists to promote car travel,” he said.
“This road is more about getting profits for the toll-road operator – there is nothing to indicate that trucks won’t continue to rat-run.”
The Western Distributor proposal includes twin 2.5-kilometre tunnels under Yarraville, an elevated motorway across the Maribyrnong River connecting with the CBD and CityLink, and widening of the West Gate Freeway from the M80 Ring Road to the West Gate Bridge.
Maribyrnong Truck Action Group has welcomed the project but warned of concerns such as rat-running through the inner-west by trucks looking to avoid the tolls, which are expected to be about $3 for cars and $13 for trucks.
A spokesman for Treasurer Tim Pallas deflected questions on potential adverse impacts on Yarraville Gardens and did not address whether the state government would join the community consultation process.
“Further detail on Transurban’s proposal should be sought from Transurban,” the spokesman said.
A Transurban spokeswoman said a more detailed design was still being prepared with input from the community and stakeholders.
“Our design and traffic teams consider existing, planned and potential transport infrastructure during this design development to ensure future projects, such as a tram connection, are not precluded,” she said.
“The current proposed alignment footprint does not impact Yarraville Gardens, the Footscray Community Arts Centre or the future [Footscray Road] tram connection from Footscray.”
Transurban’s first information session was held on Monday, with the second session to be held at St Augustine’s Parish, 61 Somerville Road, Yarraville, from 1-5pm this Saturday.
Details: www.consult.transurban.com
