By Tanya Steele
The issue of the Maroondah Highway duplication works, including upgrading the dangerous Killara Road and Station Street intersections, was once again raised in parliament in late March.
Concerns for the future of the transport funding are shared by both Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence and Casey Federal MP Aaron Violi.
Ms Vallance brought the issue to State Parliament on 23 March and addressed the status of the project which has changed from the “planning stage” to “in review” which raised concerns that the upgrades may not progress beyond planning.
“I’ve raised this issue in State Parliament on 16 occasions, and the Andrews Government’s recent response raises deep concerns that they will scrap the project and re-route the funds elsewhere, which would be a devastating outcome for the Coldstream community,” Ms Vallence said.
“On 23 March, a few weeks ago, in Parliament, I again asked the Andrews Government why the project status had flipped to ‘under review’, and to guarantee the project – their response is due on 24 April.”
Mr Violi took to social media last Friday at the busy intersection in Yarra Glen also concerned about the matter.
“Having grown up in the Yarra Valley, I’ve seen my fair share of near misses at the intersection of Maroondah Highway and Killara Road when passing through Coldstream,” he said.
“Labor’s roads minister, on 31 March 2022, said that ‘community engagement will commence in the upcoming months, with pre-construction works to follow’. It’s now been over 12 months and no consultation has occurred; no works have begun.”
In 2019, the former federal Liberal government committed $20 million to upgrade the intersection of Killara Road and Maroondah Highway.
This funding was in turn given to the Victorian Labor Government to oversee and implement the upgrades.
A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson acknowledged the issue and stated they are undertaking development work to determine the scope, timing and cost of the proposed upgrade.
“Necessary planning work is now being undertaken on the proposed Maroondah Highway upgrade to ensure it can benefit the community, with improved safety and eased congestion,” they said.
The Department plans to look at the best options to ease congestion and improve safety on the Maroondah Highway between Melba Highway and Ingram Road in Coldstream.
