Whittlesea councillors have condemned the state government for forsaking “urgently required transport projects” in Melbourne’s growth areas to fund the east-west link.
At an ordinary council meeting on Tuesday last week, councillors called on the state government to reveal the impact the $6-$8 billion project would have on other infrastructure projects in fringe suburbs.
Councillors voted unanimously to pass a motion to write to Premier Denis Napthine, Roads and Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder and local members of Parliament, expressing their concerns.
The council called on the government to commit to funding “long-standing road and rail projects” in growth areas, as outlined in the Victorian Auditor-General’s report on transport infrastructure in August.
The report, Developing Transport Infrastructure and Services for Population Growth Areas, stated that rapid population growth in Melbourne’s outer suburbs and the need for infrastructure will create a “major challenge” for the state government by 2030.
It identified Hume, Whittlesea, Melton, Mitchell, Cardinia, Casey and Wyndham as the key growth areas.
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Whittlesea is the fastest-growing municipality in Australia, with the population expected to grow from about 170,000 now to 295,000 by 2031.
The report estimates the total cost to the state and local governments to provide “all the infrastructure needed” will be $36 billion over the next 30 years, including more than $18 billion from the state government alone.
South east ward councillor Sam Alessi said the “citycentric” east-west link proposal neglected Melbourne’s growth areas.
“Successive governments have increased urban growth boundaries without considering the infrastructure,” he said.
Cr Alessi said the project showed “shortsighted thinking” that would benefit only about 20 per cent of the population. “To put all the state’s eggs in one basket, it begs the question: What about us?” he said.
South west ward councillor Adrian Spinelli said congestion in Whittlesea was a serious issue. “[Residents] don’t have time to enjoy their lives because they are stuck on Plenty Road,” he said.
Labor MP for Yan Yean Danielle Green said she was pleased Whittlesea council was “going to get on board” and oppose the project.
Northern Metropolitan Liberal MP Craig Ondarchie said the east-west link was the state government’s top priority.
But he said the government was also improving transport in Whittlesea, with VicRoads upgrading the M80 Ring Road between Edgars Road and Plenty Road to build an additional lane in each direction.
Mr Ondarchie said Public Transport Victoria had also detailed a long-term plan to improve the train network over the next 40 years.
