Yarraville residents have vowed to keep up their fight to protect open green space from the Western Distributor.
Star Weekly last week reported a tunnel will be built under Yarraville and a new road will cross the Maribyrnong River as a result of the state government giving Transurban’s $5.5 billion Western Distributor plan the green light.
A preliminary social impact assessment attached to the business case noted the West Gate golf course, Stony Creek Reserve, McIvor Reserve and Donald W McLean Reserve may be impacted.
Concerned Locals of Yarraville spokesman Scott Ellerton said inclusion of a ‘West Gate option’, with a southern tunnel portal located at the West Gate Freeway rather than linking via ramps over Hyde Park Reserve, was a cause for hope.
“We are pleased there is a West Gate option on the table and we’ll be pushing for an option with a portal not in the Hyde Street Reserve,” Mr Ellerton said.
However, the Western Distributor technical options report, submitted with the business case by the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, indicates clear preference for the ‘Hyde option’.
This cites drawbacks to the West Gate option, including emergency vehicle access, longer and more disruptive construction, impacting on West Gate Freeway traffic for up to three years during works.
Transurban chief executive Scott Charlton said the company would continue to consult on route alignments and design.
“We are committed to finding the best solution for the local residents, including the option of building a longer tunnel while retaining connections for trucks to Hyde Street.”
Western suburbs Liberal MP Bernie Finn last week told Parliament that “very real concerns exist among residents of Melbourne’s inner west as to the impact this road will have on their lives”.
Williamstown MP Wade Noonan said the decision to proceed with the distributor was a win for residents of Melbourne’s inner west, who have long fought to end truck congestion.
“Now that the project has moved to the next stage, the government will conduct its own consultation process … including location of the tunnel entry and exit points.”
Western suburbs Greens MP Colleen Hartland said the announcement failed to give answers or firm commitments. “We have seen Labor’s true colours. They have ignored the Port Inquiry’s recommendations.”
