By Charlene Gatt
A STATE Government funding wish list of key transport projects has received a mixed reaction from the West.
The State Government put forward the WestLink tunnel and freeway and the Metro Rail Tunnel on a priority list of works in its submission to the Federal Government’s advisory body, Infrastructure Australia.
However, the submission does not detail the overall cost of the projects, or a timeline for their construction.
The WestLink project involves an underground tunnel linking Dynon Rd and Footscray Rd in the Port of Melbourne precinct with West Footscray.
The second stage includes a freeway connection to the Western Ring Road.
It was a key recommendation made in Sir Rod Eddington’s report, the predecessor to the Victorian Transport Plan.
In a twist of fate, Sir Eddington is now chairman of Infrastructure Australia.
RACV General Manager Public Policy Brian Negus praised the Infrastructure Australia priority list and said it was a promising start towards addressing Melbourne’s traffic congestion and public transport issues.
But Footscray and Williamstown MPs Marsha Thomson and Wade Noonan branded the submission spin.
“The Truck Action Plan has money in the budget and could be constructed now,” Ms Thomson said.
“Stage one could be well underway.
“This is an attempt by the Baillieu Government to distract people in the West and shift blame to the Federal Government.
“The decision of the Baillieu Government on the East-West tunnel will further delay that project and there is no detail on what that impact might be for the people of the inner West.
“The metropolitan rail tunnel should be looking at commencing construction as it has already received $40 million in feasibility funding from the Federal Government.”
Mr Noonan added: “These projects are Victorian projects, but Premier Baillieu is not prepared to put one dollar on the table, or outline the timing for these projects. This is not leadership, this is laziness.”
Greens MLC Colleen Hartland was surprised that WestLink was included in the package, after reports last year that the freeway and tunnel was not value for money.
“We’ve been through this before; Westlink is a lemon,” Ms Hartland said.
