Residents fear future road upgrade Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au RESIDENTS concerned about any proposed widening of Bungower Road for use by heavy vehicles are supporting Somerville resident Chris Bakewell. They have backed his stand against a Port of Hastings 2018 Port Development Strategy which confirms that “key transport routes [including Bungower Road] have been earmarked for upgrading by VicRoads”. The residents fear the road is unsuitable for industrial traffic and, although nothing is planned for several years, Mr Bakewell said a “lack of consultation and clarity with residents” was worrying. His submission reads: “We, the local residents of Somerville and Tyabb, request that common sense and respect for the rights of residents on Bungower and Mornington-Tyabb roads are respected as there is a much better and less contentious route on the Western Port Highway.” The submission has been sent to the Port of Hastings Authority, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Flinders MP Greg Hunt, Hastings MP Neale Burgess, and the mayor Cr David Gill. Bungower Road runs from Nepean Highway, Mornington, to Tyabb-Tooradin Road, Somerville crossing Moorooduc Highway, Mornington Peninsula Freeway, Stumpy Gully, Boes and Coolart roads, Western Port Highway and Frankston-Flinders Road. The residents fear greater truck use of Bungower Road, which was “not
THE rain didn’t dampen the message from protesters on Friday when they gathered to show their unease at the prospect of Bungower Road being made suitable for heavy vehicles. Picture: Gary Sissons built for heavy haulage” will ruin their quality of life. “What is the rationale for diverting heavy vehicles through residential areas?” Mr Bakewell said. “Peninsula Link is already taking a consistent flow of commuter traffic from the peninsula. The addition of more long, heavy, articulated vehicles will have a negative impact on the flow
… getting to and from work.” The Port of Hastings development strategy confirms that while no new roads need to be built, a “greater focus on the priority and condition of eastwest connections on Tyabb-Mornington, Bungower and Tyabb-Tooradin roads will be required to meet medium to higher growth demands”.
CEO Malcolm Geier said Bungower Road is one of the roads that the port study recommends for future evaluation for upgrading. “The purpose of the port development strategy is to encourage these conversations and ensure that good long-term planning is undertaken well before these things become issues.”
Mr Bakewell said the Western Port Highway was a “purpose-built alternative which does not impact [on] residential zoning like Bungower Road” and was the residents’ preferred link between the port and Melbourne. It is a “far better” route for heavy vehicles than Bungower, Frankston-Flinders, Jones or Coolart roads, he said.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE BORN WITH A
Beautiful Smile TO HAVE ONE
Sleep-out ready: Gemma Bell, Breck Curtis in front and Joel Furneaux in the back of the car. Picture: Supplied
Sleeping out for a cause THE Sleep in Your Car event at Mornington Park, Saturday 3 August, will show those participating what it’s like to be homeless. Fusion Mornington Peninsula is running the event during Homelessness Week. Recent census data shows those the number of homelessness rose 13.7 per cent in the past four years. Of the 116,427 people known to be experiencing homelessness, 42 per cent are under 25. The Sleep in Your Car event is open to those
dropping in for dinner or staying the night. They can gather friends and family and sleep in their car or sleep rough in designated areas. Food trucks will be on hand, as will live music, information from service providers, popup art gallery, interactive kids’ zone and Walk Without Home experiential learning program. Register for the drug-and-alcohol-free event at PO Box 49, Mt Martha 3934, call 5974 1442 or email: morningtonpeninsula@fusion.org.au
DESIGN YOUR OWN SMILE LET US CREATE IT Register for a FREE Evening Seminar to learn: ‘How to test drive your new smile’
Wednesday 14 August Wednesday 21 August South Beach Project Mt. Martha Call DR Institute for bookings 1300 011 234 (seating limited) Southern Peninsula News
31 July 2019
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