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Maribyrnong’s $6m tunnel deal By Benjamin Millar The state government has agreed to stump up just under half of the $12.5 million sought by Maribyrnong council to offset the impact of the West Gate Tunnel toll-road project. Roads Minister Luke Donnellan last week announced a $6 million package for riverside improvements in Footscray on top of $5 million for Hobsons Bay described by Hobsons Bay Residents Association as “hush money”.
Maribyrnong council has consistently backed the $6.7 billion project, but raised a number of concerns about the impact of three new river crossings on its attempts to beautify its waterfront. Hobsons Bay withdrew its opposition to the project, prompting claims it was throwing “communities under the bus” in exchange for undertakings including a traffic study and sports ground upgrades. Maribyrnong council’s response to the tollway’s environment effects statement
Adopted in 2014, the plan includes a timber wharf and boardwalk with public moorings, an avenue of palm trees, improved lighting, seating and shelters. Maribyrnong mayor Cuc Lam said the $6 million will help offset the loss of amenity, but that the council was yet to determine the elements of the plan that would proceed. “We have, and will continue to, advocate for positive community outcomes as we believe the project has benefits for our community as it will remove trucks from our residential streets.”
highlighted “the detrimental visual and amenity impacts” the project would have on the Footscray Wharf area. The Planning Institute of Australia’s response was also critical of the “large new bridge structures” crossing the Maribyrnong River and the tollway’s impact on the riverside. Mr Donnellan said the $6 million would help implement the Maribyrnong River Master Plan, including an upgrade to the Footscray Wharf and promenade.
Two stabbed in Altona North
Martin Wurt from MTAG at the Williamstown Road and Francis Street intersection. (Damjan Janevski)
Taking a stand on tunnel’s fallout
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Residents protesting against a forecast rise in truck traffic fuelled by the West Gate Tunnel project will stage a peak-hour shutdown of one of Yarraville’s busiest intersections. The Maribyrnong Truck Action Group is spearheading a planned protest at the intersection of Williamstown Road and Francis Street from 8am next Tuesday, demanding that bans on trucks planned for some Yarraville and Footscray routes be extended to include Williamstown Road, as well as Millers Road in Brooklyn.
Truck numbers along single-lane, residential Williamstown Road are expected to double to 5000 by 2030 as bans on other routes, to be brought in at the completion of the $6.7 billion West Gate Tunnel toll road in 2022, funnel more trucks on to the route. New parents, in particular, have expressed dismay at an increase in diesel emissions and noise. Maribyrnong Truck Action Group spokesman Martin Wurt said the route also put 875 kids at Yarraville West Primary School in
the danger zone for diesel pollution, along with babies and toddlers at a new childcare centre approved for the intersection where the protest will take place. The protest is being held in consultation with Victoria Police, which will handle traffic management during the shutdown. It follows similar protests by MTAG at the same intersection in 2016 and at other inner-west locations in recent years. Benjamin Millar
Residents in Altona North were stopped from entering or leaving their homes as forensic investigators tried to piece together events which resulted in two men taken to hospital, two on the run and a trail of blood splashed down a normally quiet suburban street on Saturday. Police were called to Misten Avenue about 9.30pm after reports of an altercation between two groups of men. Detective Senior Constable Gareth Mullins said two men in their 20s were taken to hospital with non-life threatening stab wounds while another two fled the scene. “We’re searching for a number of males at the moment who were believed to be involved,” he said. “Two of those males are described as having dark skin and they’ve left the scene in a small white sedan, possibly a Toyota.” He said police believed the fight broke out in front of a strip of shops which included a milk bar, Thai restaurant and several hairdressing salons. But a trail of blood stretching about 150 metres had forensic investigators poring over a large stretch of the avenue, with more than 10 family homes blocked off in both directions. One woman said the incident was “freaky” but despite being “pretty frightened” said she still loved her street and community. “It could happen anywhere,” she said. Detective Senior Constable Mullins said it was yet to be determined if the two groups knew each other or if anything was taken from the victims. He said it was believed only one knife was used. – Joe Hinchliffe/The Age
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3 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY \ MARCH 7, 2018