The East West Link is pivotal to the redevelopment of Brooklyn, says Brimbank council, despite concerns that landowners will lose their properties.
The Star Weekly revealed last week that construction of the western section of the road could lead to some local businesses in Brooklyn and Sunshine West being “wiped out”.
The state government announced the road would connect CityLink to the Western Ring Road and be completed by 2023.
The route is likely to be built using a combination of viaducts, bridges, tunnel and surface freeway, and involve the compulsory acquisition of land.
However, Brimbank council director of city development Stuart Menzies said it was too early to say what impact the road would have on local landowners, specifically in Jones and Bunting roads. Brooklyn property owners will object in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to a special rate imposed by council to seal Jones Road this week, while a hearing over Bunting Road is scheduled for September 15.
“A confirmed alignment will give greater certainty, allowing business to plan for their future,” Mr Menzies said. “Council expects access will still need to be provided to the abutting properties along Jones and Bunting roads from properly constructed and sealed roads. It is not known what the exact alignment of the proposed East West Link will be and what impact it may have on Jones and Bunting roads.” But Mr Menzies said the link would “accelerate the redevelopment of the area, economically and financially”.
“East West Link will improve connections for businesses and workers in the region,” he said. “It will result in better management of freight transport, providing access to the port and removing freight from the local and arterial road network, and provide improved cross town connectivity for Brimbank residents.”
He said air quality, “poor” image and odour problems were a high priority for council’s Brooklyn Evolution strategy, adopted in 2012, which charts a 20 year vision for the area.
A state government spokesperson said the path so far was only “indicative” and it was premature to predict any further detail at this stage.
Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten said the East West Link would help ease congestion for Brimbank motorists.
