Melton council has called for urgent clarity and expanded works as part of the long-awaited Western Freeway upgrade, unanimously backing a call for answers at its 23 February meeting.
Council resolved to write to Transport and Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams seeking detailed information on the initial scope and timing of works under the $1 billion commitment to the freeway corridor.
The motion asks the state government to outline what projects will be delivered as part of the funding and how works will be staged in the coming years.
Cr Bob Turner said the community had long been left in the dark.
“This is really just to try and get some answers on what’s going on,” Cr Turner said.
“We’ve got no answers on what these billions are being spent on, and no one has said much.”
In addition to seeking clarity on the existing commitment, council is calling for further investment to deliver a full safety and capacity upgrade of the corridor from Caroline Springs to Melton and across the broader network.
Ms Williams was contacted for comment. Instead a Big Build Roads Spokesperson responded.
“We’re currently finalising planning for an upgrade of the Western Freeway between Melton and Caroline Springs to improve safety, freeway access and road capacity to help accommodate growing demand,” they said.
“Additional lanes, new interchanges and overpasses, and upgrading existing interchanges are all being considered as part of this detailed planning work to get the Western Freeway Upgrade ready for construction.”
Cr Brandi Morris said residents had been waiting since the $20 million business case was completed in 2022 and the joint federal-state funding commitment announced.
“Since the $20 million business case was done for the Western Freeway and the $1 billion commitment made, the entire city has been awaiting this announcement,” she said.
Council is also calling for commitment to a sound wall at Silverdale Estate as part of the Bulmans Road interchange project, additional lanes and signalised intersections at all interchanges, and the introduction of ramp metering, as well as confirmation on whether upgrades will include the Mount Cottrell interchange, the Hopkins Road interchange and the intersection of Westwood Drive and the Western Highway.
