The West Gate toll road impacts: Melbourne deserves better

The West Gate Tunnel Project is set to open soon, and will funnel thousands of cars from the western suburbs straight into North and West Melbourne, Docklands and the inner city.

When this toll road was first proposed, my Greens colleagues and I opposed it. No other modern city was building huge private toll roads that terminate right at the centre of their CBD, because it doesn’t make sense from a transport planning perspective.

It also came from an unsolicited proposal from a private toll road corporation (Transurban), largely driven by its desire to make more profit, rather than coming from any integrated or holistic transport plan.

We warned that it would increase traffic and pollution, not reduce it.

Sadly, those warnings are now coming true.

Instead of easing congestion, this toll road risks turning the quiet, tree-lined streets of North and West Melbourne and neighbouring suburbs like Parkville into chaotic car and truck thoroughfares where so-called “rat-running” (when drivers cut through side streets to avoid traffic jams) will make our local roads less safe.

More cars speeding through our neighbourhoods means greater danger for children walking to school, cyclists heading to work, and residents simply trying to cross the road.

To make matters worse, the State Labor Government promised our community $100 million to help manage the extra traffic, improve safety, calm traffic, and make our streets more liveable.

But years later, almost none of that money has been delivered. Locals were also promised a new linear park along Hawke St in West Melbourne to help offset the impacts of the toll road. That project now appears to be at risk of being abandoned.

It’s outrageous that a modern government is still building toll roads that funnel thousands of cars right into the centre of our city. No other modern city is doing this – they’re investing in public transport, cycling, walking and decentralised infrastructure to create healthier, more sustainable communities. Melbourne deserves the same.

I’m working with local residents to keep the State Labor Government accountable and get proper outcomes for residents. It is too late to stop this private toll road, but the least the government can do is fulfil their promises to our local communities.

Community action is already making a difference. Because of public pressure, two of the seven proposed road changes that would have worsened local traffic have already been dropped. That’s a huge win, but there’s much more to do.

If you share our frustration about the government’s broken promises, please add your voice. Sign our petition at ellensandell.com/issue/westgate.

Our community has fought and won before, and we can do it again. With enough public pressure, we can make our streets safer, greener, and more liveable for everyone. •