By Cameron Weston
THE Hobsons Bay City Council urges VicRoads to “look north” and acquire land in Maribyrnong if it needs more space to expand the West Gate Freeway.
Several weeks ago, VicRoads contacted nine residents living near the freeway in Spotswood, raising the possibility they could lose their homes under voluntary acquisition legislation in the M1 redevelopment project.
The council said the problem could be solved by VicRoads using a strip of land on the southern fringes of the City of Maribyrnong, along Fogarty Road to the north of the freeway.
Phillip McDonald, director of works and assets in Hobsons Bay, said there was a considerable amount of land available there that would side-step “any issues with houses”. “VicRoads should attempt to push extra lanes north, don’t come back on to the houses in Hobsons Bay. There is quite a bit of space. Why can’t they utilise that?” Mr McDonald said.
Hobsons Bay mayor Carl Marsich said there was plenty of room on the other side of the freeway that could be used for widening the road.
But Maribyrnong councillor Janet Rossiter, whose ward borders the freeway in Yarraville, laughed off the suggestion, saying open spaces and parkland were as valuable as houses.
“Why should we be giving up our parks for freeways? We’ve got little enough as it is.
“I would much prefer to have houses taken than parkland.”
Maribyrnong Mayor Janet Rice agreed with Cr Rossiter, saying the council would be “very concerned” about any move to take land in Maribyrnong.
“We would be equally concerned about having land acquired as they are in Hobsons Bay.
“It’s incredibly valuable parkland for us. We’ve got limited open space as it is.”
VicRoads was quick to assert that it remained unclear whether more land would be needed for the freeway redevelopment.
M1 Project director John Cunningham said work was being done “to ensure land acquisition is kept to a minimum”.
“The design process remains in the very early stages and VicRoads will continue to keep those landholders and lessees identified within the band of interest informed as the project progresses.”
Both councils agreed that the State Government should be putting more money into improving public transport in the Western Suburbs rather than expanding the freeway.
