By Kerri-Anne Mesner
A DELEGATION of councillors and staff from Brimbank City Council and Melton Shire Council will head to Canberra to push for Federal Government funds for the Calder Freeway.
Brimbank City Council passed a motion at Tuesday night’s council meeting that the three Taylors Ward councillors, the mayor, chief executive officer and other Brimbank staff members head to Canberra in September.
The council will also invite Melton Shire Council mayor Justin Mammarella and local federal MPs to join the delegation.
The delegation is part of an intensified campaign to get the Federal Government to allocate funds for construction of three interchanges along the Calder Freeway at Kings Rd, Sunshine Ave and Calder Park Drive.
The council recommended a delegation meet the Federal Roads Minister and the Shadow Minister in Canberra in September to stress the importance of these interchanges being funded.
The council will also invite the chairman of the Calder Highway Improvement Committee to join the delegation.
Brimbank Mayor Margaret Giudice said council had in the past sought the construction of the three outstanding interchanges by approaching both the state and federal governments.
“VicRoads and the State Government have recognised the importance of these interchanges but the Federal Government has failed to commit to funding their half of the interchanges,” Cr Giudice said
“Arranging a delegation will allow council to stress the regional importance of these interchanges.”
VicRoads has implemented interim safety measures which have significantly reduced the number of accidents on this section of the freeway.
However, these measures are causing congestion problems and are a major concern for the safety of the communities along the Melton Highway corridor.
Residents have been campaigning for many years to have safety improved for access and exit points onto the Calder Freeway because of the high number of serious and fatal crashes.
“Melton Shire Council has always supported this campaign for the construction of interchanges along the Calder Freeway. We have advocated this with local state and federal Members of Parliament,” Cr Mammarella said.
“This campaign is strongly supported by Melton Shire Council. We are looking forward to working closely with Brimbank City Council. Our shire’s residents, especially from Hillside and Taylors Hill, need better access to the Calder Freeway.”
