MURPHY’s LORE
ALAN Murphy \ EAST-WEST LINK HIGH ON CANDIDATE’S AGENDA
E
ndorsed Labor candidate for the seat of Essendon Danny Pearson has hit the ground running. Just days after his pre-selection he made a formal submission to the government assessment committee considering the impact of the east-west link on our community. Mr Pearson has inherited a safe Labor seat for the November 2014 state election – a seat to which the Liberal Party has paid scant respect in recent elections. He was endorsed unopposed to succeed Justin Madden. The east-west link will be high on his agenda. The huge increase in traffic volumes through Flemington, Travancore, Ascot Vale and Moonee Ponds will lead to “significant health impacts” on residents, long term, through increased air and noise pollution, Mr Pearson suggests. Additionally, residential properties will be compulsorily acquired and adjoining property values reduced. Traffic modelling consultants Veitch Lister have estimated an increase in traffic volumes of up to 25 per cent on Mt Alexander and
and a general loss of amenity. Mr Pearson Racecourse roads and a substantial increase suggests there may well be issues with the in Ormond Road traffic. centre’s long-term viability. Debneys Park Increased traffic congestion will in turn play space will be permanently lost, he says. affect public transport schedules already Mr Pearson’s submission is extremely struggling to cope on the city’s major well-researched and written. The reality thoroughfares. is that, politically, the seats in the area are Public submissions closed on December 12. blue-ribbon Labor and notwithstanding In a strongly worded three-page substantial local opposition to the document, Mr Pearson has bluntly issues raised by Mr Pearson and told the committee that the “a huge others, including Moonee Valley assumptions underpinning the amount of council, the state government won’t east-west link project are simply public space be too fazed by this community’s not valid and sustainable, and he recommends that approvals sought will be lost” opposition. But when the link is likely to for the project be refused. compromise people’s long-term health, A huge amount of public space will Spring Street ought to be having a re-think. be lost during construction of the link, severely affecting soccer, football and tennis BUILDING BRIDGES clubs and local schools that use the facilities for sport. Not a lot of infrastructure and capital works Flemington Community Centre will need find their way to Avondale Heights when the to be relocated during construction and council determines its budget. But Rosehill patrons will be exposed on completion to ward councillor Shirley Cornish is fighting major overshadowing, noise and pollution
very hard for the council to support a new ‘green’ bridge across the Maribyrnong River to allow public transport access from the Heights across to Footscray and Tottenham railway stations. Cr Cornish was initially rebuffed with her proposal earlier this month, but she put a better-prepared motion to this week’s council meeting for which she appeared to have the numbers. Her proposal now calls on the administration to investigate better public transport services in Avondale Heights and East Keilor, including new transport services across the Maribyrnong and extension of tram services from the Maribyrnong Defence site into Avondale Heights and East Keilor. The local community has waited too long. Cr Cornish will be long remembered in the area if she can achieve some action. THE FINAL WORD ...
Change a life. Make somebody feel important. \
We welcome your feedback @ www.theweeklyreviewmooneevalley.com.au
THE COLOUR OF JOY TO MAKE YOUR SHOPPING EXPERIENCE EVEN EASIER WE’VE EXTENDED OUR TRADING HOURS IN THE LEAD UP TO CHRISTMAS. Monday 16 – Friday 20 December
9am – 9pm
Saturday 21 – Sunday 22 December
9am – Midnight
Monday 23 December
9am – Trading Through
Tuesday 24 December
Trading through until 5pm
Wednesday 25 December
Closed Christmas Day
Thursday 26 December
8am – 10pm
Friday 27 December
9am – 9pm
Saturday 28 December
9am – 6pm
Sunday 29 December
10am – 5pm
Monday 30 – Tuesday 31 December Wednesday 1 January Thursday 2 January
9am – 5.30pm 10am – 5pm
Resume to standard trading hours
Plus sign up to the Highpoint Calendar of Joy to receive exclusive offers from retailers such as David Jones, Topshop, Superglue and more. You can also win some amazing spot prizes. Visit highpoint.com.au
GPT Property Management Limited, Level 10, 360 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000..
DECEMBER 18, 2013 \ The weekly review 5