It has been a long wait since March’14 for the Coalition Government to release the structure plan or state their position on the Healesville Freeway Reserve corridor.
VicRoads was originally due to release the Structure plan in March, then it was pushed out to April and then May, after that they stopped talking about its release, now they say the Shared path concept, the community feedback and Council’s concept is with the office of the Minister for Roads and they are awaiting instructions. Do remember, that in late 2013 despite being 8 months behind schedule, the community consultation was rushed through in the lead up to Christmas, with no regard for the convenience of the community and despite that they are again 5 months behind schedule.
At the Action day in March’14, our local member of Parliament Neil Angus was asked about the government’s position, he replied that he would consult with his colleagues and get back.
Despite numerous follow up via emails, letters and face to face meetings: we have had no reply so far on the Government’s formal position for this land.
We know that Labor’s policy is to keep all of the reserve as Open Space and that the Greens support that position, it is just the Coalition’s policy that is not known.
At the Federal level for the last election, few Coalition policies were declared and those that were made public were not fully articulate. Since then we have had unwelcome surprise after surprise, as different policies are now being espoused and the means of achieving them announced. We do not want that to happen at the State level as well.
Waiting for five months to hear back, without any response from the State government is too long. The election in November is not far now and the community needs to know what each political party’s position is on this important local issue so as to make an informed decision when they vote.
If you think you have waited long enough and want an answer from the government, ask for it.
Write to –
Neil Angus – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Minister for Roads: Terence Mulder – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;
Minister for Planning: Mathew Guy - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;