Tara Murray
Brimbank council and the Calder Action Group have welcomed $50 million funding in the state budget for upgrades to the Calder Freeway.
The funding will progress planning of targeted upgrades, including improvements to safety and capacity at Calder Park Interchange, and between Gap Road in Sunbury and the M80 Ring Road.
The federal government has already committed $50 million to the project – $400,000 of which was announced in the 2021-22 federal budget.
Brimbank mayor Ranka Rassic said the funding was “hugely significant” and a “very welcome first step” towards fixing one of the most dangerous roads in Victoria.
“Through our ‘Fix the Calder’ campaign we have worked hand in hand with community groups, local MPs, neighbouring councils and concerned residents to advocate for real change,” she said.
“We are incredibly grateful that state and federal governments have heard our voices – and we look forward to working closely with the relevant departments on further development of these plans.
“Our community can now be confident, with this $100m commitment to essential planning work, that further announcements will be made in future budgets to finally ‘Fix the Calder’.
“For those who travel along the Calder every day, and see congestion, delays and accidents, this is a huge win.”
Brimbank council has long campaigned for upgrades to the freeway, including the construction of a full diamond interchange at the intersection of the Calder Freeway and Calder Park Drive, the grade separation of the Sunbury train line at Calder Park Drive and the duplication of Calder Park Drive between Calder Freeway and Melton Highway.
It also wants funding allocated for the Calder Freeway between the Western Ring Road (M80) and the Melton Highway to bring it up to freeway standard, which would include additional lanes from Keilor Park Drive to Melton Highway, widening of the Maribyrnong River Bridge and reinstatement of the 100 km/h speed limit.
Calder Action Group president Russell Mowatt said the funding was much-needed and long-awaited.
“We started this in 2012 and it’s good to finally get some funding,” he said.
“One hundred million is nothing to be laughed at. This is long overdue and we’re looking forward to the outcomes on the ground.
“We want something tangible that we can touch and feel.”
Mr Mowatt said while the combined funding was “nowhere near enough” to complete all the work it was “an excellent start”.
“This is the first step. Hopefully we get money in successive budgets and more investment into the future
“We don’t want to wait another decade for more funding.”
Sydenham MP Natalie Hutchins said she knows how much this investment means to locals.
“This investment means we are one step closer to a quicker – and safer – commute for locals
travelling every day on the Calder.”
