Whittlesea council has vowed to continue its campaign for funding for a Hume Freeway interchange at O’Herns Road, after the project was overlooked in the federal budget.
The council plans to make the freeway connection a key election issue, with mayor Stevan Kozmevski saying the council felt “very let down” by the government’s decision not to fund the project.
“For more than 12 months the federal government said it would consider the project when it received a detailed business case from the state government, which it has, yet still we received nothing.
“The outer suburbs are being ignored and our residents and businesses will continue to face lengthy traffic jams until there is a funding commitment from the federal government.”
State funding in limbo
The state government committed $40.7 million for the project in last month’s state budget, on the condition that the federal government provided equal funding.
Cr Kozmevski said Tuesday’s federal budget highlighted why a dedicated national find for fast-growing suburbs was desperately needed.
Growth areas councils, including Whittlesea, have started the Fund our Future Campaign to call for a dedicated fund for roads, public transport and health facilities in outer suburbs.
“With a federal election looming, I call on local residents to send a strong message to our national leaders that more funding is needed for our roads and public transport by signing an online petition,” Cr Kozmevski said.
Residents can sign the petition at www.fundourfuture.info
