WestgatetunnelEESGroupSubmissionFromDon’tDestroyMillersRd.

OpeningStatementOneoftheWestgatetunnelproject’smainobjectivesisto‘reducefreightandimprovesafetyonlocalstreets’,toimprovelocalairqualityandareductionofnoise.AsagroupofconcernedBrooklynandAltonaNorthresidents,webelieve4ofthe5themeswithintheEES–TrafficandTransport,PhysicalEnvironment,Humanhealthandamenity,andCommunityhavebeencompletelyoverlooked.WebelievethisprojectisdetrimentaltothecommunitiesoftheentireInnerWest,butinparticularBrooklynandAltonaNorthinHobsonsBay.

MinisterforRoadsandRoadSafetyLukeDonnellanisquotedassaying:“We’velistenedtothecommunityeverystepofthewayonthisproject,deliveringthe24/7truckbansthattheInnerwesthasbeencallingfortomakeresidentialstreetssaferandquieter”.AndtheEESstatesareoccurringmantra–‘designedtorelievetrafficpressure’and‘removetrucksfromresidentialareas’.

AsresidentsoftheInnerWest,werecognisetheneedtoprovidebetteraccesstotheCBDandPortofMelbourne,toreducethenegativeimpactsofheavyvehicletrafficontheInnerWestresidentialareasandtoimprovetheefficiencyoffreightmovements.

However,fromtheinformationanddatareleasedaspartoftheEES,wedonotbelievetheWestGateTunnelProjectinitscurrentdesignandplanningmeetstheproject’sobjectives.ThisprojectwillnotremovetrucksfromtheInnerWest,itwillsimplyshiftthemfromtheCityofMaribyrnongtotheCityofHobsonsBay.

IntroductiontoBrooklynBrooklynisanindustrialandresidentialsuburbsituatedaroundGeelongRoad11kmwestofcentralMelbourne.Aresidentialwedgewaslaidoutintheearlypostwaryears,whichnowsitsbetweenTheWestgateFreewaytotheSouth,GeelongRoadtotheNorth,andMillersRoadtotheEast.TodayBrooklynhas1,951residents.

Table1–AgespreadofBrooklynandAltonaNorthResidentsLandholderJamesCherrybuiltBrooklynLodgeinthe1800s.TheGuidingStarhotelandtheHalfMoonhotelsstood,andtherestofthelandwasusedforfarmingandgrazing.Thetownshiphadapostofficeandaschoolbuiltin1882.

AcommonmisconceptionisthatBrooklynhasalwaysbeenanindustrialarea.Infact,industrystartedmovinginatleast20to40yearsafterthefarminghadbegunwithquarries,andmeatprocessingplantsandthepigmarketmovingtoBrooklynin1938.AmigranthostelwasconstructedonMillersroadwhereanumberofwarehousesnowstandin1949.HundredsoffamiliesgottheirstartinAustraliathere.TheHostelhadalargenumberofBritishMigrants,anditwasherethattheyfirstformedtheBritishMigrant’sAssociation.MembersworkedtogethertoconstructtimberhouseframesinawoolshedatBrooklyn,beforeassemblingthemonhousesites.

TheCouncilQuarry,Brooklyn1912BrooklynMigrantHostelThedemandfromthehostelbroughtontheconstructionofanewBrooklynStateSchoolin1953andoperateduntiltheearly90s.TheBrooklynWestSchoolwasopenedin1960.ResidentialBrooklynwasthriving.Theclosureofthehostelforfamilyaccommodationin1967andthelossofhousesforconstructionoftheWestgateFreewaygreatlyreducedthelocalpopulation,andtheschoolclosed.BrooklynoncestretchedtoaroundBlackshawsRoadbeforethenewfreewaycarvedtheneighbourhoodinhalf.TheCatholicAnnunciationSchoolbuiltin1958stillstandstodayandisnowtheonlyschooloperatinginBrooklyn.Anewchildcarecentre–ShinechildcarehasjustopenedonGeelongRoad,asdemandisgrowinginaneverchangingdemographic.TheHalfmooncaravanparkwhichoperatedonthecornerofMillersRoadandFrancisStreet,wasrecentlydemolishedinwayforanewmodernwarehousefacility.FundamentaltoBrooklynandAltonaNorth’sfunctionalityandliveabilityisMillersRoad.Itisthemainthoroughfareandconnectionofoursuburbstothemajorityofouramenities.MillersRoadcontainsamixofresidentialandcommercialproperties,parks,schools,churches,medicalpractitioners,andsmallbusinesses.ItisalsothehometoCherryLake,AltonaNorthLibrary,AltonaGateShoppingcentre,MillersCornershoppingcomplex,BorrackSq,&the16shops.Don’tDestroyMillersRoadDon’tDestroyMillersRoadareagroupofresidentsfromBrooklynandAltonaNorth.Wewereformedwithsharedconcernsofthemanynegativehealth,safety,socialandcongestionproblemsbroughtonbythisproject.ThereleaseoftheEESbroughtnoconfidenceintheWestGateTunnelProjectforthesecommunities,whomhavebeenleftwithenormousfearanddoubttothenegativeimpactthisprojectwillhaveonus.Thisgroupsubmissionreflectscommunityfeedback.ThemainconcernsarearoundMillersRoadinBrooklynandAltonaNorth,andBlackshawsRoadinAltonaNorth.

SubmissionWebelievethatBrooklynandAltonaNortharetobethemostseverelyaffectedsuburbsifthisprojectistogoahead,itwillcontributetothemanyexistingchallengesandproblems,particularlyinthethreeareasofhealth,safetyandtrafficcongestion.Weopposethisproject,asitoffersnopositivecontributiontotheresidentsofHobsonsBay.Theprojectshouldnotbeawardedwithplanningapprovalduetothenumerousbreachesofhealthandsafety.Theme1:TrafficandTransportTheWestGateTunnelauthorityclaimstheprojectwouldremove9,300trucksperdayoffresidentialstreetsintheInnerWest.HowevertheEEScontradictsthisstatementwiththefactthat7,000truckswillbeaddedtoMillersRoadalone,thatisanincreaseof147%,aswellasastaggeringincreaseof271%inheavycommercialvehiclestoBlackshawsRoad.

Table2–IncreasedtrafficonlocalroadsduetoWGTPMinisterforRoadsandRoadSafetyLukeDonnellanbelievesthatMillersroadwasdesignedtocarrylargenumbersoftrucksandheavyvolumesoftraffic.

Thisisamisleadingstatement,Millersroadwasnotdesignedasamajortruckingroute.Itwasfirstatwo-wayroad,thenwidenedandstrengthenedwithconcreteduringthewarasapotentialemergencyrunway.Eventhoughtruckshavebeenusingitformanyyearsnow,MillersRoadwasnotdesignedwithintentiontocarry14,800trucksaday.

Atthepresentlevelof4,500trucksperday,MillersRoadisalreadystretchedtoitsmaximumcapacityandthreatensthesafetyoflocalresidents.ManyresidentshavegraveconcernsaboutthedangerofcrossingMillersRoadonadailybasis.

TurningWestontotheWestgateFreewaycantakeuptofourcyclesormorebeforeyoucangetthrough.OneBdoubletruckwouldbeluckytomakeitbeforethelightsturnedamber.TurningrightoutoftheresidentialstreetsthatrunoffMillers,youencounterthesameproblem.14,800trucksperdaywillbringtheroadtoacompletestandstill.

AddingtothisenormousincreasetoMillersRoad,combinedwithanincreaseof37,000truckstoTheWestgateFreeway,andasignificantincreasetoGeelongroadwillcompletelycutofftheresidentsfromeverythingandeveryone.

TheBrooklynresidentialareawillbesurroundedandentrappedbyanendlessstreamofnoise,pollution,vibrationandgridlock.

Furthertothiscongestion,theredevelopmentoftheDonsSmallgoodssiteinBlackshawsRoad–Precinct15,andtheBradmillssiteinFrancisStreet–Precinct17,willbringinguptoanadditional12,000residentswhosemainaccesstotheWestGateFreewaywillbeMillersandWilliamstownRoad.

OncePrecinct15iscompleted,HBCCmodellingpredictsthefollowing:

BlackshawsRoad125%increaseof800vehiclesintheAMpeakhourbetweenMillersRoadandKyleRoad32%increaseof325vehiclesinthePMpeakhourbetweenMillersRoadandKyleRoadMillersRoad12%increaseof285vehiclesintheAMPeakHour28%increaseof675vehiclesinthePMPeakHourMelbourneRoad=-175vehicles(8.5%decrease)intheAMPeakHourand-200vehicles(7%decrease)inthePMPeakHour.

Table3–IncreasedtrafficonlocalroadsduetoPrecinct15

ThefiguresprovidedbythisstudyarebasedontheunconfirmedMelbourneMetro2project,assumingitwillbeoperatingwithcapacitytoshiftasignificantamountofcommutersontorail.ItalsodoesnottakeintoaccounttheincreasefromPrecinct17.

TheWGTPhasnotfiguredtheincreasesfromtheabovementionedprecinctredevelopmentsintoitstrafficmodelling.TheactualimpactoftheWGTPisacompletecontradictiontotheEESstatementofmakingtheresidentialareassafer,quieterandlesspolluted.WehavesignificantconcernsthattheestimatedincreaseintrafficfromtheWGTPisenormouslyunderstated.

Melbourneisaglobalcitythatpridesitselfonbeingtheworldsmostliveable.ItseemsthattheWGTPplanningauthoritieshavenotproperlyexploredothertransportoptionssuchasnewandimprovedtrainlinesintheinnerwest.

ThemajorityofthemajorandmostrecognisedcitiesaroundtheworldfromNewYorktoLondon,ParistoTokyoetcallhaveefficientandmoderntrain/metrolinesthatservicethecityanditssurroundingsuburbs.Melbourne’strainsystembycomparisonisslow,crowded,vulnerableandveryoutdated,especiallyinthewest.

Thewesternsuburbsareoutpacingtheinfrastructureprovidedatanastronomicalrate.Theroadsarecrowded,underseverestress,andalreadyatbreakingpoint.AreaslikePointCook,andWyndhamareseeingunprecedentedgrowth.DuetoaverycrowdedWerribeeline,commutersrelyondrivingastheironlyrealisticoption.

UKTransportexpertDrWilliamMcDougallalsohasstatedthattheEESprojectionsfortransportgrowthareincorrectandunderestimated.

WedonotendorsetheWestgateTunnelProjectduetoitsinadequateplanningandflaweddesign,withnopositivecontributiontoourcommunitiesexceptsomeimprovedlightingandfootpaths.HowevershouldtheplanningpermitbegranteddespitetheprovennegativeimpactandmajortrafficincreasestoHobsonsBayandtheInnerWest:

Don’tDestroyMillersRoadcallsforacompletetruckbanonMillersRoadunlesstheyhaveanoriginordestinationinBrooklynorAltonaNorth,andacompletetruckbanduringtheconstructionperiod.

Constructadedicatedon/offrampwithdirectlinkstoSomervilleRoadatanimprovedTottenhamParade,CemeteryRoadandCawleyRoad,aswellasanimprovedGrieveParade,withlinkstotheWesternRingRoad,DohertysroadandthePrincessFreeway.

ConstructanewNorth/SouthconnectionunderthefreewaytolinkthetwosidestogetheratPrecinct15andPrecinct17

TheWGTPdoesnotmeetthevisionofthefutureofintegratedcityandtransportplanning.Theliveability,health,functionality,economicandsocialimpactsaredevastatingtoBrooklynandAltonaNorth.BrooklynisoneofMelbourne’smostdisadvantagedsuburbswhenitcomestopublictransport.Weneedpublictransportsuchastrainsandbuses,notagridlocked,tolledtunnelthatencouragesdependencyoncarsandtrucks.

Thelimitedamountsofbusesthatserviceourcommunitiesarefrequentlylateandunreliable.Forcingthemtocompeteforspacewith14,800trucksperdaywillfurtherexacerbatetheproblem.Atotalpercentageof3.4%ofresidentsfromBrooklynusebusservices.Membersofthecommunityshowalackofconfidenceinthebusservices,as“thebusservicesareslow,unreliableandit’seasiertojustdrive.”

Atotalpercentageof70.3%ofpeoplefromBrooklyndrivetowork.

Table4–Methodoftravel

TheWGTPstatesthatthenewtunnelandelevatedroadswillconnectpeopleoftheWestwithjobsandservices,withgrowthandproductivity.

Itisestimatedthatupto3,500vehiclesperhourwillusethecityboundelevatedFootscrayRoadtoaccessthecity.Amainsellingpointoftheproject’sadvertisingis‘asecondrivercrossing’.Thisisinaccurate;theriverthattheWGTPsectioncrossesisnottheYarra,buttheMaribyrnong.ThisisnotanalternativetotheWestgateBridge,ratheranotherbridgedeliveringthousandsofvehiclestoNorthMelbourneandtheDocklands.

Thiswillnotreducetraveltimes;itwilljustclogthearea,causingdelaystothelocalroadandtramnetworks.Theproject’scostof$5.5billionand12yearsofextendedtollstomotoristsoftheexistingCitylinkroadsisanenormouspricetopayforsomethingthatwilldeliversolittleeconomicandpracticalreturn.TheEastWestlinkwillstillneedtobeconstructedandtheM1corridorwillstillbecongested.

TheWGTPisnotaprojectthatisidentifiedasapriorityofInfrastructureVictoria.Theprojectisveryflawed.TraveltimesareactuallypredictedtoincreasewiththeWGTP.

Table5–TraveltimeswithandwithouttheWGTP

Thetrafficreportcommissionedin2006andcompiledbySirRodEddingtonspecificallystatesthatnewroadsshouldnotdelivermoretraffictotheCBD.

BrooklynandAltonaNortharegrowingsuburbs,theroadsarebecomingmorecongested,asgreaternumbersoffamiliesmovein.Largeblocksthatoncecontained2or3people,arebeingknockeddownandreplacedwith4dwellingshousing8ormoreintotal.Withthiscomesincreasedpressureforparkingandcongestiononthelocalroads.

Table6–DifferenttypesofDwellingsinBrooklynandAltonaNorth

Itisnotunusualforeachdwellingtocontain2ormorevehicles.

Table7–Householdvehicles

ConstructingtheWGTPandaddingsubstantialamountsoftrucksandvehiclestolocalroadswillonlyleadtounsustainablecongestionandtheproblemsthatcomewithit.

Onepassengertraincanremove525carsfromtheroad.ThemoneywouldbefarbetterinvestedintheMelbourneMetro2,andputtingfreightontorail.ThisprojectwillnotdeliverresidentsofMelbourne’sWestclosertojobs,itwillensurewearefurtherlockedintodependencyonourcars.

ThelackofinformationontollpointssuggeststhefirsttollpointfromthewestwouldbebetweenGrieveParadeandMillersRd,whichwouldencourageratrunningthroughinnerwestresidentialstreets.ThiswouldaffectthesensitivegroupslivingonandaroundMillersRdandBlackshawsRd.Seefigurebelow.

Table8–Brooklyn&AltonaNorthresidentsconsideredtobeinthesensitivecategoryDon’tDestroyMillersRoadcallsfornotollsontheWestgateFreeway,andtoreduceratrunningthroughourlocalstreetsandlawenforcementtomonitorandpenaliseratrunning.Changessincesubmissionlodged:TheannouncementofthePortRailShuttleputbackontheagenda,ThebanningoftrucksonBlackshawsRoadandHudsonsRoad,TherecommendationofremovingthetollpointbetweenGrievePdandMillersRdAlloftheabovechangesarepositiveandshowthatthereisahighlevelofunsatisfiedcommunitymemberswhoareveryworriedaboutthisproject.ThePortRailShuttleisavitalinfrastructureprojectforMelbourneandVictoriaandhasthefullsupportofourcommunitygroup.WebelievethattheWGTPdoesnotmeettheobjectiveofremovingtrucksfromourlocalroads,howeverthePortRailShuttleprojectdoes,inafarmoreefficientandenvironmentallybeneficialmanner.Astwoofthethreehubsaresegregatedfromthemetropolitantrainnetwork,thiscanbeimplementedwithoutaffectingcommuters.TheDandenonghubwouldneedfurtherinvestmentinupgradingthetracks,butthisismoneywellspentandvitalforfutureproofingpublictransportinagrowingarea.Don’tDestroyMillersRoadcallsforanimmediateinquiryintohowthePortRailShuttleProjectwillaffectthebusinesscasefortheWGTP,anddoesInfrastructureVictoriadeemittobemoneybetterspentThenewlyannouncedtruckbansonBlackshawsRoadandHudsonsRoadareastepintherightdirectiontomeetingtheEESobjectivesofremovingtrucksfromlocalroadsandhasthesupportofourgroup.HoweverwestillhavegraveconcernsforMillersroadandworrythatitisstillbeingaskedtotakethelion’sshareofthetrafficincreasesforthisproject.Thebanswillnotremovetrucks,theywillaideinredistributingthemontoMillersandGeelongRoad.WecallforMillerstostillbeincludedinthesebans.

ThetollpointremovalbetweenGrieveandMillersisalsosupportedbyourgroup,asithasbeenestimatedtoreducetheincreasedtrucknumbersonMillersroadfrom7,000to4,000.However,anincreaseof4,000trucksperdayistilltoohighandbringsthesamedisadvantagesandproblems,beitatareducedlevel.ItisyettobeseenhowwellMillersroadcouldhandlesuchanincrease,butatcurrentlevelsof4,500trucksperday,plusthethousandsofcars,ourmemberscanattesttothefactwearealreadypresentedwithadifficultandproblematicdailystruggletoenterandexisttheroad,andjustunderdoublingthisamountwillnotbeaminorchange.WebelieveMillersroadshouldbeexpectedtocarrythesecurrentamountshowever.IhaveyettohearaconvincingargumentastowhytheWestgateFreewayistobetolled.Ithasanegativeaffectonthetransportcompaniesbigandsmall,andappearstobeforonereasononly–tofundthenewtunnelproject.AsTransurbanareaprivatecompany,andthisisanunsolicitedbid,wedonotbelievetheyhavetherighttotakeaFreewaywhichwealreadyfundandputatollonit.Transurbanwillreceiveallofthesignificantamountoftollrevenuethatwillflowfromthisprojectformanyyearstocome,whyshoulditbeattheexpenseoftruckdriversandtransportcompanies?Don’tDestroyMillersRoadagaincallsfornotollsontheWestgateFreewayatanypointandlawenforcementtomonitorandpenaliseratrunning.Theme2:PhysicalEnvironmentResidentsofBrooklynandAltonaNorthhaveexistedsidebysidewithindustryforanumberofyears,andattimesithasnotbeeneasy.Anexceptionalamountofefforthasbeenputintobeautifyandimprovethecommunities,suchasanewlyrenovatedparkwithachildren’splaygroundandalanewaysprojecttonamejustafew.TheWGTPwilldestroythisestablishedandgrowingcommunity.Itwilllocktheresidentsinandchokethemwithfumes.ThelossofLynchReservefortheconstructionperiod,andthenapermanentreductioninsizeof34%isunacceptable.Brooklynalreadyhasalimitedamountofopengreenspacesasitis.Weseeverylittleintermsofcompensationforthetheftofourcherishedpublicspaces.WilltheresidentsaroundLynchreservehavetoputupwith5yearsofnoiseanddisruption,onlytobeleftwithasmallerandalmostunusablereserve?Whatnoisereductionstrategieswillbeimplementedtoprotectthem?Willtheworkbecarriedoutatunsociablehours?Don’tDestroyMillersRoadcallsfornoworktobecarriedoutatunsociablehoursatLynchreserve,andforadequatenoiseprotectionbetweentheconstructioncompoundandresidentialareaduringtheconstructionperiod.

Don’tDestroyMillersRoadcallsforimprovementstocrossingsofMillersroadandGeelongRoad,andlightsandimprovedtracksalongtheFederationTrail.

WithanenormousincreaseoftrafficalongGeelongroad,whatimprovementstonoisebarriersandvegetationwillbeinstalledbetweenthehighwayandtheserviceroad?

Don’tDestroyMillersRoadcallsforadequatenoisebarriersandvegetationtoinsulatetheresidentsfromtheincreasednoiseandairpollutionalongGeelongRoadandMillersRd.

Theme3:HumanHealthandamenity

BrooklynisMelbourne’smostpollutedsuburb,andAustralia’s8thmostpollutedsuburb.TheEPAhasinstalledamonitoringstationduetoconstantbreachesbytheindustriesnorthofGeelongroad.BrooklynresidentshavethemostfoulanddisgustingairinVictoria.

EPAairmonitoringreportscanconfirmthePM10levelsinBrooklynalreadyexceedthehealthylevel.Theadditionofover4,000to7,000trucksperdaywillonlyaddtothis.EmergingsciencehaslinkedPM10andPM2.5toreducedlungfunction,increasedratesofasthma,cancerandareductioninlifeexpectancy.TheWestgateTunnelProjectwillincreasethePM2.5levelsby88%andPM10levelsby87%onMillersRoadalone.TheWestgateFreewayitselfispredictedtohaveanincreaseof37,000vehiclesperday,addtothis,theincreasesonMillersRoadandGeelongRoad,andtheWGTPwilleasilybreachitsownPMstandards,andputtheresidentsinimmediateandrealdanger.AnnunciationPrimaryismetresfromMillersroad.Thechildrenwillnowbebreathingindangerousandillegallevelsoftruckfumes5daysaweek.

TheEnvironmentalProtectionAuthority’sOrganisationalStrategystatesaphilosophythatincludes:Vision–AhealthyenvironmentthatsupportsaliveableandprosperousVictoria,nowandalways.

Victoria’sChiefEnvironmentalScientist,DrAndreaHinwoodisanaccomplishedenvironmentalscientist.DrHinwoodhasstudiedtheWGTPEESusingevolvingtechniquestodetectairqualityimpactsrelevanttothisproject.TechnicalreportG–Airquality,statesthat12roadswereselectedtomodelPM2.5andPM10concentrations.Threeoftheselectedroads–TheWestgateFreeway,MillersRoadandGeelongRoadallshowanincreaseinthemaximum24houraverageofPM10concentration,andBlackshawsRoad,MillersRoadandGeelongRoadshowanincreaseforPM2.5.

TheEPAstate-thecurrentdesignalongwiththeproposedtruckbansresultsinaredistributionoftraffic&hencepredictedincreasedairpollutantconcentrations&potentialimpactsalongWGFreeway,BlackshawsRoad,MillersRoad&GeelongRoad.

Wedonobelievethattheimpactofreducedairqualityduringconstructionandoperationonthecommunityhasbeenadequatelyassessed.TheWorldHealthOrganisationrecommendsthatcurrenteffortstoreducethenumbersofUFPsinvehicleemissions,inparticularPM2.5andPM10shouldcontinueastheevidencebeinggatheredbecomesclearertothenegativeeffectstohumanhealth.

Don’tDestroyMillersRoadcallsforpermanentmonitoringstationspositionedonMillersRoad,GeelongRoad,BlackshawsRoadandTheWestGateFreewayandmonitored,reportedandmanagedbyanindependentexpertinthefield,toensurethelegalandsafelevelsofPM2.5andPM10arenotexceededbefore,duringandafterconstruction.Iflevelsarebreached,thenmeasuresandpenaltiesmustbeputinplaceandenforcedtorectifythesituation.Theairqualitymonitoringdatamustbemadeavailabletothepublicinrealtimeonanaccessiblewebsite,andtheprogrammustcontinuethroughplanning,constructionandfiveyearsaftercommencementoftheproject.Themonitoringmustbeinconsultationwithcommunity.Thefollowingpicturedescribestheflowandpollutantdispersionpatternsinastreetcanyonandopenroadwithandwithoutdifferenttypesofvegetation.

Don’tDestroyMillersRoadcallsforavigorousstudyintothenoiseandhealthaffectstheincreasedtrafficwillhaveforthe36propertiesfacingMillersRoad,andsurrounding,andwhatmitigatingmeasurescanbeimplementedtoreduceorremovethesedangerousandinconvenientlevelsoftoxicfumesandnoise.

TheEPAstatesthatnoiseimpactsfromroadsidenoiseisasignificantissue,andpredictednoiselevelsatasmallnumberofbuildingsfacingtheWestGateFreewayarepredictedtoexceedtheprojectnoiseobjective.ThecurrentdesignalongwiththeproposedtruckbansresultinpredictedincreasedroadsidenoiseimpactsforresidentsalongMillersRoad,LynchRoad,DerhamStreetandRailwayplace.ThecurrentnoiselevelofcertainstreetsinBrooklynsuchasPrimulaAvenueandRichardsCourtaccordingtotheEESisapproximately61dBato65dBa,whichwasmeasuredinlinewithVicRoadsnoisepolicywheremeasurementsaretobetakenwithminimalwindconditions.AsthewinddirectionisNWonmostdays,thesoundlevelisfarhigherthanwhathasbeenmeasuredinanowindenvironment.VicRoadspolicystatesthemaximumallowablenoiseistobenomorethan68dBaatwhichtimethenoisewallsareduetobeupgraded.AstheWestgateTunnelisanewproject,whyhaveTransurbanonlydesignedthesoundwallsto63dBawhichtheESSstateswillbeattheirlimitshortlyaftertheprojectiscompletedin2031?Thereisnofutureproofingforincreasedtrafficordurationsofcertainsoundlevels.VicRoadsstatethattheirnoisewallsweredesignedto69dBatatimewherethelevelofnoisewaslow(approximately55dBa).Thisapproachwastakentofutureprooftheinstallationforanincreaseintraffic,whichisnowoveritslifeexpectancy(25yearsforwoodensoundwallsbymanufacture).Ontheotherhand,EPA’snoisecriterionis55dBaduringdaytimeand45dBaduringnightregardlessofwindconditions.ThisisforconstructionnoiseandotherformsofnoisebutwhyistheresuchalargedifferenceinlevelsofpermissiblenoisebetweenEPAandVicRoads?Giventhatdecibelsarelogarithmicthisisalargedifference.DidVicRoadscameupwith68dBaasthisistheaverageroadtrafficat25mfromadistributorroad?TheStateGovernmentandTransurbanhavetheabilitytochoosetodesignat55dBaifdesiredallowingforfutureproofingofthenoisebarrierswhichthisseverelydisadvantagedcommunityneeds.Don’tDestroymillersRoadrequestthattheWestgateTunnelprojectdesignthesoundbarrierstoattenuateto55dBAforoursuburbgivenouruniquesituation.3majorroadssurroundBrooklyn:MillersRd,GeelongRdandtheWestgateFreeway.Nomatterwhichdirectionthepollutedwindblowswearesurroundedbynoise.TheEESalsostatesanincreaseinnoiseforresidentsonMillersRoadofupto4dBaduetothe7,000additionaltrucksadaytheprojectwillfunnelthroughMillersRd.WefeeltheprojecthascateredformanyothersandhavecompletelydisregardedBrooklyninthegrandschemeofthedesign.TheEEShasalsonotaccountedfortheincreaseintrafficforGeelongroad,whichisadirectresultofthisproject.Don’tDestroymillersRoadrequestsoundattenuationtoGeelongroad.TheEESindicatesalargeconstructioncompoundwithinBrooklynlocatedatLynchReservehoweverithasnodetailonthenoisegenerated,trafficroute,ifthiscompoundwillbeboundtoEPArequirementsandhowitwillbemitigatedandpoliced.

TheresidentsaskthatTransurbanandtheStateGovernmentrethinkthedesignaroundtheBrooklyncommunity,whichhasbeenidentifiedinyourowndocumentationasadisadvantagedcommunity.TheobjectiveoftheEESandtheprojectitselfistotaketrucksoffinnerwestlocalstreetsandimprovethelivesoftheadjacentcommunity’s.WhatwehaveseentodatefailsbothofthoseobjectivesandleavesBrooklynasawasteland.AnnunciationPrimaryismetresfromMillersroad.Itisunacceptableforlocalchildrentostudyinanoisyenvironment5daysaweek.EmmanuelcollegeandMarinaagedcarewillfacethesameprobleminBlackshawsRoadAltonaNorth.

Wedonobelievethattheimpactofincreasednoiseduringconstructionandoperationonthecommunityhasbeenadequatelyassessed.

Don’tDestroyMillersRoadagaincallsforatruckbanonMillersRd,andaproperinvestigationintotheactualnoiselevelsexpectedfromtheWGTPonBrooklyn.Changessincesubmissionlodged:NewnoisewallsannouncedforCroftReserve,McIvorReserveandStonyCreekreserve.AquotefromthePremierofVictoriawebsiteregardingnewnoisewalls:‘Indirectresponsetocommunityfeedback,threeadditionalnoisewallstobebuiltalongthebusyWestGateFreewaytothebenefitoflocalfamilies,dogwalkersandsportingclubs.

SomeofthebestnoisewallsinVictoriaarebeingbuiltfortheWestGateTunnelProjectatalevelthatgoesaboveandbeyondthestandardforanexistingmotorway.’AndthisfromMinisterLukeDonnellan:“We’rebuildingsomeofthebestnoisewallsVictoriahaseverseentoreducetrafficnoiseforresidentsandpeopleenjoyingthebeautifulparksandgardensoftheinnerwest.”

“TheWestGateTunnelProjectwillslashthecongestion,taketrucksofflocalroads,andmakeitquieterforpeoplelivingnearby.”

Againwesupporttheseadditions,butweareleftaskingwhyhasMillersRoadbeencompletelyignoredyetagain?Webelievethatlittletonoconsiderationhasstillbeengiventothe36propertiesalongthat1kmstretch,andthoseintheimmediateareaalongthesidestreets.Ifthegovernmentbelieve‘onlythebestnoiseprevention’isrequiredforsomelocalfamilies,dogwalkersandsportsclubs,whydoesitnotextendtotheresidentsofBrooklynandAltonaNorth?Aretheyconsideredlessimportanttothisgovernment?Amenity-ThereductioninqualityoflifeforBrooklynresidentswillbecatastrophic.Wealreadyfaceanumberofproblemswithaccesstopublictransport.Thenearesttrainlinesarenotwithinwalkingdistance,whichmeansresidentswithoutaccesstocarsneedtorelyonbusesorbicycles.Thebuses(411,412and232)thatserviceourcommunityarefrequentlylateanddelayedasaresultofalackofbuslanesandincreasingtraffic.Wecannotseethisimprovingwiththeadditionofeither4,000or7,000trucksperday.

Don’tDestroyMillersRoadcallsforadedicatedservicelaneforbusandemergencypurposeonMillersRdandWestgatefreewaytoensuretheproductivityandefficiencyofthepublictransportsector.ThemajorityofamenitiesfortheBrooklyncommunityareonoraroundMillersRoad,suchasshops,doctorsanddentists,schools,parksandplaygrounds.OurresidentsuseMillersRoadeverydayonmostoccasions.GettingonandoffMillersroadisalreadyproblematicandunsafe;thisprojectwillfurtherexacerbatetheproblemtocrisislevel.WalkingorcyclingtoAltonaGatefromBrooklynisdangerous,asthereisnothingtofacilitateasafecrossing.TherearenolightsorZebracrossings,itisdoneatyourownrisk,andwiththehopethatvehicleswillseeyouandslowaccordingly.CuttingusofffromMillersroadislikeseveringamainartery,MillersRdisoursuburbslifeline.Theme4:CommunitySocial–Brooklynhasverylittleintermsofcafes,cornershops,takeawaysetc.Thevastmajorityofresidentswilltraveltosurroundingsuburbstomeetforacoffee,childcare,kinderandsoforth.TheWGTPwillmaketheseeffortstoestablishacommunityevenharder.ForyearstheBrooklyncommunityhavecalledforacafé/coffeeshopandrestaurantssimilartowhatyoumayfindinYarraville,SeddonorWilliamstown.Weareconcernedaboutthelackofopportunitiestogeneratelong-termlocalbusinessesandjobopportunitieswithinthecommunity.Wefeelthisprojectseemstobeaboutgeneratingmorevehicleswithagreaterrisktotheestablishedcommunityactivities.Norestaurantorcaféownerwouldbepreparedtoopenafacilitysurroundedbynoise,pollution,vibrationsandodours24hoursaday.

Table9–HouseholdIncome

BrooklynisbytheWDA’sownadmissionadisadvantagedsuburb.Brooklynhastraditionallyalwaysbeenaworkingclassarea,somewherewithouttheglitzandglamourofneighboringWilliamstown,ortodayYarravilleandSeddon.Nevertheless,thetimesarechanging;theaveragehouseholdincomeisontherise.

TheBrooklyncommunityhaveformedaprojectgrouptotrybringingasenseofbelongingandtogethernessforallwholivethere.AChristmascarolandmoonlightcinemanightwereheldlastyeartoverypositivefeedback.AlongwiththelanewayandhistoryofBrooklynprojects,thereismuchmoreinstore,includingfoodswapsandcoffeecarts.AchildcarecentreisnowoperatingonGeelongRoad.AlltheseeffortswillbeinvainwhentheWGTPturnsoursuburbintoagridlockedsurroundedandcutoff,desolatewasteland.ConclusionThehighlyflawedandillplannedanddesignedWGTPoffersnopositivecontributiontoBrooklynandAltonaNorth.HobsonsBayCityCouncil,TheCityofPortPhillip,TheCityofYarra,MorelandCityCouncil,ThePlanningInstituteofAustralia,TheRACV,YarraTramsandTheCityofMelbournehaveallbeenhighlycriticaloftheproject,withTheCityofMelbournestating‘Itwillleadtosignificantimpactsthatcannotbeappropriatelymanaged’,andevengoingasfarasdescribingitas‘Adog’sbreakfeast’.

ThePIAstatesthat‘TheWestgateTunnelprojectlacksstrategicjustification’andthat‘theEESdoesnotadequatelydemonstratethattheobjectivesareachievedthroughtheprojectasproposed’.

TheStateLaborgovernmenttookaWesternDistributortothelaststateelection,VictoriaagreedandTheAndrewsGovernmentwasvotedin.AftertakingpowertheyscrappedtheEastWestlinkatacostof$1billionforthefollowingreasons:

Itwasaprivatelyoperatedtollroadthatwasn’ttakentothestateelection,andhadaterriblebusinesscasethatdidn’tstackup.DanAndrewsevendescribeditas‘Adogofaproject’Hequestionedthe$1.40returnforeach$1invested.Intheendhewasrighttodosowithsomereportsemergingitwouldonlyreturn45cforeach$1invested.

TheWestgateTunnelistheexactsamebutwebelievewithanevenworseandlesseconomicallyviablebusinesscasethatwilllockMelbourneintoafurther12yearsoftollsontheexistingCitylinknetwork,andnotimprovecongestionontheM1.

TransurbanhaveworkedoutawaytochargethemajorityofMelbournecommutersforuseonthistollroad,eventhoughtheymayneveruseit.Thatputitbluntlyitdoesnotpassthepubtest!

ItisanunsolicitedbiddesignedtodelivermaximumprofitstoTransurban,whilstnotonlynotsolvingMelbourne’scongestionproblems,butpotentiallymakingthemworsewiththeinduceddemandandlocalizedcongestiontheroadswillbring.

Ifthenumbersforthisprojectdoindeed‘stackup’aswearerepeatedlytold,thenwethetaxpayersdemandtoseehowandwhy.SeriousquestionshavebeenraisedfromthepeerreviewbyconsultantJohnAllardtotheaccuracyofthegovernment’snumbersandtrafficprojections.Thereisgrowingbeliefinthecommunitythatthereportquestionsthe$1.30returnfor$1investmentprojections.

Thereasonforwithholdingthereportisnotvalidfromourpointofview.Weremainverysuspiciousofthisentireprocessandbelievethatthereleaseiswithinthepublic’sinterest,andmustbereleasedwithoutdelay.

FromWikipedia:EddingtonTransportReport,Victoria

Eddington’sstudynotedthatMelbourne’sstrongeconomicandpopulationgrowthwouldresultina30percentincreaseindemandfortravel,bybothpublictransportandprivatemotorvehicles,by2033.Therewouldalsobea50percentgrowthinfreightbeingmovedaroundMelbourneandtoandfromthecity’sportsandairportsby2020.Hesaiditwasvitalthattherewerehigherlevelsofinvestmentinpublictransportaswellasthedevelopmentofurbanareasthatwereconducivetowalkingandcycling.Butheadded:"TheevidenceisclearthatthenumberoftripsmadebycarinMelbournewillincreasebyasubstantialamountfortheforeseeablefuture–andthecity’sroadnetworkmustbeabletocopewiththisincreasingdemandinanefficientandsustainablemanner.WebelievethattheWGTPisneitherefficientnorsustainable.

Fortransportcompaniesandownersofheavyvehicles,theywillnolongerbeabletodriveintothecityorarounditusingahighwayfromthewestwithoutpayingatoll.Thishasthepotentialtosendanumberofthesmalleroperatorsbrokeandpushupthepriceofeverythingtocaterforthehigheroperatingcosts.

ThisbringslittlebenefittoVictoria,especiallywhenbyyourownestimatesitmayonlysavecommutersbetween4–8minutesintraveltime.Thenoise,dust,vibrationsanddisruptionsof5plusyearsofconstructionarenotworththeprojectedoutcomeof4–8minutes.Whyarethepredictionsonlyuntil2031?Whatarethenumbersafterthat?Willthistollroadandtunnelbeobsoletewithinafewyearsofopening?

Theimpacttotheenvironmentalongtheproposedrouteisnothingshortofdevastating,withtheremovalofeverytreeinitspath.Althoughnewtreeswillbeplanted,andnewparklandcreated,itwillmanytakeyearstoestablish.

TheWGTPplansshouldbecompletelyscrappedandredrawn.ThroughouttheEESwearepresentedwithaprojectvnoprojectscenario,andaskedtocomparethetwo.TheyarepresentedasthoughtheseweretheonlytwooptionsavailableforVictoriatoeaseourcongestion,freightandcommuterproblems.WeintheWestarescreamingfortrains.MrDonellanclaimshehaslistenedtothecommunities,Iwouldliketoknowjustexactlyhowmuchhehas,andcontinuestodo?

Werecognizetheneedforinfrastructuredevelopmentinresponsetothegrowingcity.Itisvitalthatanydevelopmentshouldhaveapositivecontributiontotheexistingneighborhoodandcommunity.TheWGTPisabigdevelopment,withabigpricetagandabigimpact.

WearedeeplyconcernedabouttheinadequateplanningandflaweddesignoftheWGTP.Developmentinsuchalargescalemustofferasolutionthatisfutureproof,andinlineorsuperiorthemoderncitydesign.TheWGTPisnothingbutabigstepbackwardstothecitydevelopment.

TheWGTPoffersnoconfidencetothecommunities,Don’tDestroyMillersRdstandsinlinewithallthecitycouncilsandgroupswhoopposeit.

Don’tDestroyMillersRoadGroupwouldalsoliketomakeclearthedisappointmentintheamountoftimegiventoproperlyread,comprehendandcritiquethe10,000pageEES.Toproperlyexaminesuchanenormousdocumentwithoutafulltimeteamoflawyers,engineersandprofessionalsin30businessdaysnoless,hasprovedtobeimpossible.Timeaftertimewefoundconfusingandcontradictingfactsandfigures.Wewouldliketosuggestmoretimeshouldbegiventocomprehendandcomment,especiallynowwithanumberofnewannouncementsmade,forexamplethePortRailShuttle,newtruckbansetc.

Thisdevelopmenthasgreatopportunitytocontributetotheneighborhoodandcommunitypositivelyandweurgedtheplanneranddevelopertoberesponsibleandrespectful,orfacetheriskofsettingtheWestandtheStatebackdecades.

TheDon’tDestroyMillersRoadGroup,July10,2017