THE state government must earmark money in next week’s budget to urgently address vital transport needs across Melbourne’s west, the opposition says.
In a united call for action, western suburbs MPs said there was a distinct east-west population and infrastructure imbalance.
The call was made by Tim Pallas (Tarneit), Wade Noonan (Williamstown), Don Nardella (Melton), Jill Hennessy (Altona), Natalie Hutchins (Keilor) and Marlene Kairouz (Kororoit). Included in their wish list was a rail tunnel linking Dynon Road with St Kilda Road, a plan to reduce truck traffic from residential streets in the inner west, electrification of the rail services to Melton, intermodal transport hubs and more money to improve safety on the Melton Highway.
The MPs have also renewed the push for a second river crossing.
As reported in the Weekly, truck loads on the West Gate Bridge have “soared beyond all expectations” over the past decade, placing the bridge at risk of cracking and corrosion.
A confidential VicRoads report presented to Transport Minister Terry Mulder last year revealed the government needed to pump more than $150million into maintenance of the bridge. Mr Pallas, the opposition’s infrastructure spokesman, said the structural integrity of the bridge was worrying, and industries in the west needed better access to the Port of Melbourne. The MPs said next week’s budget was an opportunity for the Coalition to come good on its election promise to “invest in the west” and “fix the [transport] problems”.
“Having failed to provide a single dollar for roads projects or an additional bus service to assist residents across the Altona electorate in last year’s budget, demand and expectations are very high this year,” Ms Hennessy said.
“The government must act.”
