By Matthew Sims
Hobsons Bay council has requested for the West Gate Tunnel Authority [WGTA] to release the remaining $3 million from the $10 million West Gate Neighbourhood Fund and commit a further $10 million towards the funding program for Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong community projects.
During its meeting on Tuesday, June 28, council passed a motion to receive and note an update report on the West Gate Tunnel Project.
Acting chief executive Andrew McLeod said he had met with WGTA acting chief executive Peter Lellyett to request the authority release the remaining $3 million within the fund and replenish the fund with an additional $10 million.
“We’ve spelt out the argument of inconvenience and asked for there to be consideration of recompense,” he said.
Strand Ward councillor Jonathon Marsden said there needed to be more support for the community considering ongoing extensions to the works.
“This project has gone on far too long,” he said.
“The project has ballooned in cost and the timeline has blown out and almost doubled and as a consequence, I believe it’s only just and proper for us to go back on behalf of the community and ask that that fund be replenished in order for those groups and those people that have suffered through the project to be able to renew and restore and rebuild those projects that are most dear to them.”
A West Gate Tunnel Project spokesperson said more rounds of funding are yet to come.
“We have already funded almost 50 projects to the value of $7 million including sporting, health and leadership programs and upgrades of cultural and art spaces,” the spokesperson said.
Strand Ward Cr Pamela Sutton-Legaud said she was “rather dismayed” by the project’s impact on the community, especially on the visual amenity.
“It couldn’t be more ugly and imposing and intrusive if it tried, and I’m yet to be convinced of the benefits,” she said.
