The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has slammed Ivanhoe Labor MP Craig Langdon’s call for a freeway between Bulleen and Greensborough. This recent move by Langdon comes despite multiple promises that he would resign if this freeway were ever constructed.
“It is rather alarming that Craig Landon himself is now the one making the call for such a road,” said Jeremy Lunn, the PTUA’s Outer-East Convenor. “He seems to think a freeway can be made invisible, inaudible and non-polluting, which runs contrary to the facts and to Vicroads’ own plans.”
According to expert advice provided to the PTUA, it is not possible to build an underground freeway through the Yarra Flats region. The slope from Bulleen to Rosanna is too great, and the road would not function as intended without an interchange at Banksia Street, which forces it over the Yarra, not under.
“This means an elevated freeway at Warringal Parklands and through the middle of Bolin Bolin Billabong,” Mr Lunn said.
“All that Vicroads have ever suggested is a ‘possible’ tunnel further north, in Rosanna. Yet even as a tunnel, it is still a freeway. Somebody has got to have the exhaust plume in their backyard and it will still result in greater greenhouse gas emissions. Traffic will still be just as bad on local roads, if not worse.”
Promises by Craig Langdon to resign were made at three public meetings in 2001 and 2002, and repeated in Parliament. Mr Langdon was adamant that the construction of EastLink would not result in a freeway from Bulleen to Greensborough.
“With EastLink due to open its doors, he’s already insisting that such a freeway would be necessary,” Mr Lunn said.
“But we do not need a $20 billion white elephant. What we really need is investment in public transport, such as the Doncaster railway line, duplication of the line to Eltham, and upgraded bus services,” Mr Lunn said.
“Craig Langdon is playing with fire here and the results could be devastating to the residents of Ivanhoe, Heidelberg, Rosanna and Bulleen,” Mr Lunn concluded.
ENDS