By Ann Marie
MOMENTUM is growing to fix kilometres of neglected nature strips along the Princes Freeway, and Tarneit MP Tim Pallas has agreed to work on strategies for landscaping improvement.
Mr Pallas, who is also Roads Minister, said he looked forward to working with the Wyndham City Council and the Road, Rail, Environment Action (RREACT) group, who are spearheading a campaign to clean up the unsightly verges between Brooklyn and Werribee.
Wyndham mayor Shane Bourke said he was delighted with the news.
“There’s no doubt the area is long overdue for a makeover,” he said.
Murray Brown, chairman of Wyndham’s quality community plan, said the State Government should be embarrassed by the treatment of the section of road compared with other areas of Melbourne.
“The neglect has been ongoing and is a reflection of the Government’s spending habits,” he said.
“When you drive along the Monash, you see the Government has put a lot of effort and thought into creative landscaping out there. That’s certainly not the case here.”
Mr Brown said he looked forward to meeting Mr Pallas to discuss improving the West’s highway borders, well as local railway corridors.
“We understand this is a big project and it won’t happen overnight, but it needs to be addressed and budgeted for,” he said.
Mr Brown said the Government could start by replacing unsightly and broken wire fences that line large sections of the freeway.
