Residents across Melbourne’s west can have their say during the next phase of community consultation for the Western Distributor Project that will take 6,000 trucks off the West Gate Bridge and create 5,600 new jobs.
Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan today announced seven community sessions, beginning 16 April, which will give residents access to the latest information about the project’s development.
The community will be asked to share their views on updates to the design. This will include options for the length and location of the two tunnel entrances and how the Western Distributor connects to Hyde Street, CityLink and the western edge of the CBD.
Local residents will be able to talk to the project’s team of experts and give feedback on air quality, noise, urban design, construction impacts and more. Online engagement will also be made available, with residents who are unable to attend the sessions asked to contribute at .
A summary of feedback will be displayed online after each session and a consultation report summarising community views will be published in mid-2016.
Community engagement is a key element of the Environmental Effects Statement (EES), which will thoroughly assess the project’s potential social, economic and environmental effects.
The EES is expected to be on public exhibition in early 2017, when the community will again be invited to make formal submissions.
The Western Distributor project team will shortly seek interest in the project from the construction industry.
The Western Distributor will provide an alternative to the West Gate Bridge and a second river crossing, widening the West Gate Freeway from 8 to 12 lanes, building a tunnel under Yarraville, constructing an elevated road along Footscray Road with connections to CityLink and the western edge of the CBD, and giving trucks direct access to the port.
The community consultation sessions will be held:
- Saturday 16 April, 9.30am-1.30pm South Kingsville Community Centre, 43 Paxton St, South Kingsville
- Wednesday 20 April, 5pm-8pm Grand Star Receptions, 499 Grieve Parade, Altona North
- Thursday 21 April, 5pm-8pm St Augustine’s Parish, 65 Somerville Road, Yarraville
- Saturday 23 April, 9.30am-1.30pm VU at MetroWest, 138 Nicholson Street, Footscray
- Wednesday 27 April, 5pm-8pm The Meat Market, 5 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne
- Thursday 28 April, 5.00-8.00pm Scienceworks, 2 Booker Street, Spotswood
- Tuesday 3 May, 5pm-8pm Limelight Room, Etihad Stadium, 740 Bourke Street Docklands
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan
“These sessions are an opportunity for local residents to get more information and help shape this vital project.”
“We’re removing trucks rat-running through inner west streets, reducing travel times and creating 5,600 jobs.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Footscray Marsha Thomson
“We encourage people right across Melbourne’s west to have their say: residents, industry and community organisations.”
"It is important that we hear from local residents about what they think about the design and what are the best options.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020