Westgate Freeway fears: ‘More homes, longer delays’

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
MAJOR residential and harbour developments north of Geelong are set to further clog commuter traffic to Melbourne, according to civic leaders.
They predict a proposed 4000-home estate at Werribee West and a Wyndham Harbour marina development with almost 500 dwellings would add thousands of weekly traffic movements to the freeway.
Geelong Mayor John Mitchell said he was already concerned about the impact of traffic blockages around Westgate Bridge on his city’s economy.
A second crossing of the Yarra River into Melbourne was a “high priority”, he said.
Wyndham City Mayor John Menegazzo backed Cr Mitchell, saying state and federal governments could no longer “bury their heads in the sand”.
G21, an alliance body of councils in the Geelong region, has identified as one of its priority projects securing a State Government commitment to Westlink, which would ease pressure on the Westgate Bridge.
Westlink would link Port of Melbourne with West Footscray and Western Ring Road.
Cr Menegazzo was aware of a “tight road funding situation” but said a Westgate Bridge alternative was essential.
“State Government will have to make a decision on Westlink within this term.”
Developers announced last month that Wyndham Harbour will have up to 240 housing allotments, 200 apartments and 27 terrace homes.
The harbour would also have 1000 wet berths, 390 dry stack spaces and 1000sqm of retail space.
A spokesperson for the development said the first three land stages were virtually sold out, stage four was on sale and a further 120-lot development was under consideration.
The developer was promoting Wyndham Harbour as an “easy commute on the Westgate Freeway” to Melbourne’s central city area.
Lend Lease announced the $1.3 billion, 438-hectare Werribee West development for 4000 homes in April.
Wyndham is officially Aus-tralia’s fastest municipal area, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Wyndham’s population in-creased by 12,600 people, or 8.8 per cent, last year.