By Olivia Condous
The Melton city council has responded to the Labor Party’s election pledge to fund Western Highway upgrades.
On April 11 the Labor Party pledged $10 million for a business case to work with the City of Melton in order to improve the stretch of the Western Highway between Melton and Caroline Springs, if the party is successful in the upcoming federal election.
The pledge followed the City of Melton Fix Our Roads campaign launch on April 4 at which the council advocated for upgrades to roads in Melbourne’s west.
City of Melton mayor Cr Kesic said the council was delighted with Labor’s commitment towards the highway.
“Now is the time to invest in the Western Highway and we hope that other major parties will also make strong commitments towards this key road,” he said.
Mayor Cr Kesic said the Western Highway was a rural standard road that desperately needed more interchanges, overpasses and lanes.
“The Western Highway is a critical arterial road link that functions as an important economic driver at a metropolitan, state and national level,” he said.
“A business case will provide a clear direction on how to upgrade and future-proof this highway in one of Australia’s fastest growing areas,
“It’s an opportunity to address a critical need for tens of thousands of daily commuters, including those getting to and from work and those moving goods across the state.”
Caroline Springs resident Tania White said congestion at exit points around the area often pushed back into local roads and affected simple daily activities.
“It means that I have to get in the car earlier with my little girl to make sure we’re getting to school on time and it means we’re spending more time in the car as opposed to the family events we’re planning,” she said.
Ms White said she has no choice but to use the intersection at Christies Rd and the Western Highway to get to work, which she described as “horrible”.
“The roads are getting more unsafe, you can see it at the peak hours in our suburb,” she said.
To find out more about Melton council’s Fix Our Roads campaign, visit fixourroads.com.au.
