Council calls for the release of long-awaited West Gate Tunnel Project traffic modelling

Following repeated delays to West Gate Tunnel traffic mitigation projects, the City of Melbourne has called on the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to release the traffic modelling that is justifying their decision not to commence the works.

In August, it was announced that a suite of traffic mitigation projects would begin construction later this year as part of the jointly funded $100 million Transport Amenity Program (TAP) between the Victorian Government and the City of Melbourne.

The TAP program aims to manage anticipated traffic changes once the West Gate Tunnel Project opens. However, major projects funded by the program – including the Hawke Street Linear Park – remain in limbo due to the DTP’s traffic modelling.

At the Future Melbourne Committee (FMC) meeting on September 2, the City of Melbourne requested that the DTP release the modelling that is causing the Victorian Government to delay implementation of the TAP program.

Cr Dr Olivia Ball said it was an indictment on both the council and the Victorian Government that since the program was announced seven years ago, so little progress had been made.

“It’s not a criticism of the extraordinary efforts made by so many to gain traction, including during some very, very challenging times for the city and the state,” she said.

“It’s an acknowledgement that collectively we have failed to deliver what was promised within the timeframe we set … it's a betrayal of our promise to North and West Melbourne residents.”

Works are set to begin in September at intersections around Spencer, Dryburgh, Abbotsford, Victoria, Curzon, Rosslyn, Adderley, Lothian and Ireland streets in North and West Melbourne.

These works will include new line markings, adjusted traffic signals, restricted turns, road closures and safety bollards to improve traffic flow and discourage rat-running through local streets.

However, the timeline remains unclear for longer-term projects such as progressing the Hawke Street Linear Park and improving pedestrian and cycling connectivity.

Resident and member of the North & West Melbourne Association, Mary Masters, believes the City of Melbourne’s request for the traffic modelling demonstrates that the DTP has not been working effectively with the council.

“In public statements – including the Premier’s press release of August 27 – we see attempts to suggest close collaboration and real benefits for our community. We believe the reality is otherwise,” she said.

Every dollar of TAP funding so far has been spent or earmarked without community consultation, without transparency, without traffic monitoring, and without any tangible benefit to North and West Melbourne.

At the September 2 meeting, former cycling infrastructure engineer at the City of Melbourne, Beck Roy, said the proposed changes were inadequate and ignored due process.

“While DTP is focused on modelling vehicle movement, there's been no consideration at all for how these proposed changes will impact pedestrian movement,” she said.

“The City of Melbourne was previously publicly opposed to the West Gate Tunnel, and the community expects that this strong stance continues to protect the people living in this area.” •