THE state government has pledged to build the Mordialloc Bypass “to the highest environmental standards” after announcing a full investigation into any impact on nearby wetlands will be done before construction of the nine-kilometre road.
Labor Planning Minister Richard Wynne confirmed last Thursday (21 September) that an Environmental Effects Study report will be needed before the $300 million project can be built.
Concerned community groups say the bypass between the Mornington Peninsula Freeway and Dingley Bypass poses a danger to species of birds, animals and fauna in the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands (“Plea to dump bypass build”, The News 20/9/17).
Residents Against Mordialloc Freeway president Scott Fothergill welcomed the EES study.
“We would hope that this EES includes full community consultation and we would hope that RAMF and all groups above including Friends of Braeside Park and Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands Association would be included as reference groups,” he said.
“The EES will ensure the highest study into these effects and impacts of this proposed road. They may well discover themselves, the best mitigation of impact will be not having this road through this corridor at all.”
Mr Fothergill says the state government should abandon its plans to build the Mordialloc Bypass and focus on building the Westall Rd extension to link Eastlink and the Dandenong Bypass and should install extra lanes along Springvale Rd “to link up with the Dingley Bypass in a less environmentally damaging way”.
Mordialloc Labor MP Tim Richardson said the EES process gives the community the chance to make their views known about the bypass plans.
“The EES process will provide the community with detailed information about the project and give locals a chance to have their say on the final designs,” he said.
“These detailed planning investigations will give us the information we need to manage any environmental impacts for the surrounding community, now and into the future.”
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 27 September 2017
