PROTECTING the environment around the planned Mordialloc Bypass and ensuring nearby residents are not impacted should be top priorities when building the new road, according to Kingston Council.
Councillors at the latest public council meeting on 25 September voted to “work collaboratively” with VicRoads to ensure wetlands, including the Seaford-Edithvale Wetlands, and public open space including Braeside Park is protected.
“I think if it’s done properly we can minimise any impacts on the community, particularly by ensuring acoustic wall treatments and maintain and enhance access into Dingley Village,” Cr Steve Staikos said at the meeting.
The Labor state government announced in May that the long-flagged nine-kilometre Mordialloc Bypass to be built between Springvale Rd in Aspendale Gardens and the Dingley Bypass in Clayton South would be budgeted for in the 2017-18 state budget.
The $300 million bypass will link to the Mornington Peninsula Freeway in a bid to ease traffic congestion.
“The government has made the decision to build the road and basically all that council can do is try to mitigate the damage,” Cr Rosemary West said.
Cr West said VicRoads “is doing a good job of briefing community groups” such as the Friends of Braeside Park but she called on VicRoads to host open public information sessions for Dingley Village, Waterways and Aspendale Gardens residents.
Councillors also voted to advise VicRoads council does not support the closure of Old Dandenong Rd, between Boundary Rd and Tootal Rd.
A majority of councillors voted to ask VicRoads to build a flyover at Governor Rd as part of the bypass project.
Cr Tamsin Bearsley said a lot of residents say a bypass at Mordialloc “is fantastic” but “congestion at Governor Rd will increase so we really need this flyover”.
State Planning Minister Richard Wynne announced late last month that a full Environment Effects Study report will be conducted to investigate any impact on nearby wetlands when the Mordialloc Bypass is built.
The Residents Against Mordialloc Freeway has called on the state government to drop plans to build the bypass and focus on constructing a Westall Rd extension to link Eastlink and the Dandenong Bypass with extra lanes along Springvale Rd.
- Feedback on the proposed Mordialloc Bypass can be submitted at engage.vicroads.vic.gov.au/mordiallocbypass or by calling VicRoads on 13 11 71.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 4 October 2017
