Hannah Hammoud
Uncertainty has continued to cloud future upgrades to improve the Calder Freeway, with multi-million dollar funding hinging on the outcome of the Commonwealth Infrastructure Investment Program review (CIIR).
The Calder Freeway has been the subject of widespread community concern for more than a decade and was named as one of Victoria’s top 10 deadliest roads in 2021, with Brimbank council launching a ‘Fix the Calder Campaign’ the same year.
The 2023-24 state budget included an allocation of $10.693 million to improve the Calder Freeway but for Brimbank, both the Calder Freeway upgrade and the Melbourne Airport Rail remain in limbo as the federal government undertakes its 90 day review of major infrastructure projects.
Brimbank mayor Cr Bruce Lancashire said it was pleasing to see the state government back up its election promises in the budget but council must continue to advocate for local priorities.
“… We need to keep up pressure on the Victorian government to follow through with funding for strategic projects which are vital for long term economic benefit of the city and the state,” he said.
Calder Action Group president Russell Mowatt said any investment into the freeway is good investment but questions remain as to how the funding will be spent, if it is at all.
“We want to know the details of what this funding will achieve,” he said.
“The freeway stretches from the Melbourne end all the way to Bendigo, it remains unknown as to what this investment will mean.
“Investment is good, but in terms of the big picture … we haven’t got anything.
“It begs the question, what will the funding improve?”
Mr Mowatt said the freeway is reaching its “use-by date” as the infrastructure struggles to keep pace with population growth and increased traffic.
“We need the infrastructure … The freeway is of national importance and it deserves significant funding. It has sadly been neglected for over a decade.”
