A letter from resident groups of the inner west
Say NO to West Gate Tunnel – rally for a sustainable Melbourne at Brooklyn, December 2017
Originally published in The Westsider: A letter from resident groups of the inner west – The inner west does not need or want the West Gate Tunnel project (May 2018)
It’s been widely claimed by the government and the press that the west supports the West Gate Tunnel Project. This is not accurate. A small section of one suburb, and one action group support it and even they have serious reservations about it. The rest do not. Community members of the Community Liaison Group made clear to Western Distributor Authority in December 2017 that considerable unresolved issues remained in the project. The City of Melbourne is opposed to the project and the City of Hobsons Bay has flipped flopped over the issues in the face of staunch opposition from its residents. Academics have published a highly critical report and significant professional planning groups have written to government with their concerns about governance and design.
But still the government has continued to proceed and get signed agreements with TransUrban, pushed through gazetting of planning scheme amendments and commenced construction in the knowledge that the community do not support it and the Legislative Council has the numbers to revoke approvals and halt work. The government has used paid advertisements from big companies and the website and press releases of one community organisation to justify it in the Parliament. This is brinkmanship, not good governance.
#GetOnBoardVic – Day of Action: Monday 23rd April 2018
SNAP Action: No More $ For Mega Toll Roads
The Victorian State Government has teamed up with private interests like TransUrban to choke Melbourne with roads, roads, roads, leading to congestion, smog and tolls.
We know Melbournians want real, long-term solutions to Melbourne’s growth problems, NOT more roads. Our future as the world’s most liveable city depends on investment in sustainable public transport that works for all.
ONE WEEK before the budget is released we need to show our local MPs that we don’t want big bucks for more roads! We need to get our budget on balance by ramping up investment in public transport, local bike & walking infrastructure, shifting freight onto rail and more!
Bring along your friends, family, loved ones and even your dog to join the simultaneous, Melbourne-wide protest as we share our frustration with a Labor government who is pouring billions into new road projects.
Come tell our leaders we want a healthy, walkable, easy-to-get-around city that works for all, NOT just those who drive.
Join us on #GetOnBoardVic Day of Action this Monday 23rd April at your local member’s office below:
SNAP Action: No More $ For Mega Toll Roads (facebook event)
10.00am – 10.30am – Williamstown: Wade Noonan, 101 Douglas Parade, Williamstown
Contact: Better West – Spotswood South Kingsville Residents Group
11.00am – 11.30am- Werribee: Tim Pallas, 2/56-58 Watton Street, Werribee
Contact: Better West – Spotswood South Kingsville Residents Group
11:00am – 11:30am – Richmond: Richard Wynne, Shop 6, 232 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Contact YCAT
10.00am – 10.30am – Ivanhoe: Anthony Carbines, 56 Beetham Parade, Rosanna
Contact: Friends of Banyule
10.00am-10.30am – Mordialloc: Tim Richardson, 374 Nepean Highway, Chelsea
Contact: RAMF – Residents Against Mordialloc Freeway
Additional Resources
- Use these #tags on social media: #GetOnBoardVic #NoMoreTolls #StopWestGateTunnel #NoEastWestLink #StopNorthEastLink #StopMordiallocFreeway #VicVotes #SpringSt #AusPol
- Feel free to print one or all of these A4 posters with a choice of ten nifty slogans (PDF)
Media release Budget out of touch as community members combine forces against the roads funding priority (20 April 2018)
Community groups across Melbourne have combined to voice shared concerns that the Victorian Government is locking in the wrong projects for Melbourne’s future. Facing projects in every corner of the city from the West Gate Tunnel to the North East Link, the resuscitated East-West Link, and the Mordialloc Freeway, Melburnians are joining forces.
Melbourne’s transport budget is out of touch with big bucks handed over for mega roads, while public transport lags. Continue Reading…
Community Forum: Westgate Tunnel Project WON’T WORK
Message from Gerry McLoughlin at IMPA: Following from the very successful forum on the Western Distributor unsolicited bid proposal by TransUrban held at RMIT Centre for Design on 22 March 2017 BETTER WEST Community Group (member group of IMPA inc) with support from IMPA inc, PTUA, TT4e, NMWM and others have organised a Community Forum following the announcement on Sunday 2nd April 2017 of the TransUrban unsolicited bid West Gate Tunnel Project
We would like to invite you to attend this important event to hear from experts on Transport, Air Particulates and from Politicians how this project is a city changer for the worse and will not solve our very real freight on road conflicts to the entire inner Melbourne area.
The community is concerned with various aspects of this project not least the undemocratic nature of the insidious take over strategy of a privately owned transnational company of major public infrastructure. Other crucial issues include
- public health concerns with increased air particulates
- outdated transport options – why are we massively investing in road tunnels and not public transport and
- where are the dedicated freight on rail and freight routes to get freight off local roads