By Denise Deason
“ARMSTRONG” got up as Wyndham City Council’s preferred new name for the proposed Middle Ring Rd at last week’s meeting – but only just.
The vote was five to four, just pipping the alternative suggestion of Ellery.
Both Elliott Armstrong and Dr Robert Ellery were early pioneers with strong connections to the Werribee area.
With the reservation of the first section of the Middle Ring Rd determined through Manor Lakes, the council decided it needed a new identity to avert any potential confusion with other ring roads and clearly spell out its future development as a major arterial road within Wyndham.
The council said the road name change will also help focus politicians and government agencies to the planning and financing of what will be a multi-million-dollar project that will be required in the not-too-distant future.
The Middle Ring Rd was the project name given to the road-rail corridor proposed in the Werribee West Concept Plan in 1996, where both an Outer Ring Road and Inner Ring Road were also proposed.
The Inner Ring Rd was identified as an extension of McGraths-Heaths Rd to Farm Rd and the Outer Ring Rd as a link from Little River to the back of Rockbank.
The Middle Ring Rd was planned to be between these two roads and linking Leakes Rd to the Western Interchange.
However, since this time, residential development has progressed in Manor Lakes and a reservation has been made for the Middle Ring Rd and rail corridor from Ballan Rd to Greens Rd.
The council has allocated $2.4 million in the current financial year for construction to begin on the Middle Ring Rd between Greens Rd and Manor Lakes Boulevard.
However, work is not expected to start until the middle of next year and is dependent on completion of the design work.
The council has a policy of assigning historical names to roads and parks.
Elliott Armstrong was a former dragoon who arrived in Werribee in 1846 and operated a ferry across the Werribee River until the bridge was opened in 1851.
He then ran the Bridge Inn (later renamed the Racecourse Hotel), where the first Road District Board meeting was held.
This was the beginning of local government in Werribee and Elliott became the first board secretary.
He gave generously to establish the first school in Werribee, which began as a shed in the grounds of the inn.
Dr Robert Ellery was the first government astronomer, whose famous work in the 19th century allowed the surveying of the whole state.
In 1860, he identified the Werribee area as the best location to start accurately measuring Victoria’s first survey baseline from the South Base Stone Park.
Cr Leigh Barrett moved that the Middle Ring Rd be renamed Armstrong Rd.
“While Ellery was very good at stargazing, Armstrong did a lot more to contribute to the local community and our betterment,” he said.
Cr Peter Ross seconded the motion, saying Armstrong had been influential in starting Werribee’s first school and had done much for the community.
Mayor Shane Bourke, who in fact voted for Ellery, pointed out the result was very close and both men had been important historic figures.
“With the rapid growth of Wyndham, there will no doubt be other roads where Ellery will be recognised,” he said.
“The Middle Ring Rd, or Armstrong Rd, will be one of the saving graces to the community for our road transport in the future.
“Wyndham’s population is now 128,000 and is projected to go to 250,000 to 300,000.
“This road is going to play a very important part in moving people around.”
Letters inviting comment on the proposed name change will be sent to property owners along the route of the road, as well as appropriate public authorities, infrastructure service providers and emergency services.
A further report will then be presented to the council.
