State not buying up road land
15Apr08
VICROADS says it has no plans to acquire any more property along Ballarat Rd, despite Sir Rod Eddington's proposal to widen the road to ease congestion.
Sir Rod's East West Needs Assessment report says Ballarat Rd requires widening to complete its Truck Action Plan.
VicRoads already owns more than 20 properties along the stretch of road.
Property services director Bernard Toulet said these properties had not been obtained in line with Sir Rod's plan.
"The most recent acquisition, made over two years ago, was a strip of land at the corner of Ashley St," Mr Toulet said.
"This property was acquired in order to facilitate intersection improvements."
Mayor Michelle MacDonald has applauded Sir Rod's report, and urged the State Government to act immediately. "Trucks thundering through our roads, compromising the livability, amenity and environmental surrounds of the west, is one of the biggest issues this city faces.," she said.
But Maribyrnong Greens Councillor Janet Rice believes widening Ballarat Rd will only make things worse.
"There is no reason why freight needs to be on Ballarat Rd it should be on the Western Ring Road, Westgate Freeway and CityLink," she said.
Sir Rod's report also proposes a 17km rail tunnel from Melbourne's west to south-east.
Bunbury St residents fear that the proposed tunnel, which would begin near West Footscray Station and run under the Maribyrnong River, could leave them homeless.
Nick Paraskavas is concerned about the lack of information provided to residents.
"It potentially takes out half of Footscray," he said.
"There's a lot of young families on this street who have put a lot of money into their houses. It would be a shame to see a transport plan ruin all that."
