O’Herns Rd-Hume Freeway interchange campaign ramps up

EPPING North continues to be neglected by the major political parties, who are yet to commit to a O’Herns Rd-Hume Freeway interchange.

The Access Denied campaign is calling for a commitment from political parties to build on/off ramps at the O'Herns Rd/Hume Freeway overpass.

EPPING North continues to be neglected by the major political parties who are yet to commit to an interchange at the O’Herns Rd overpass of the Hume Freeway.

Aurora Community Association spokeswoman Cara Horner said she was happy both parties had committed to extending the railway to Mernda but extremely disappointed neither had mentioned the interchange — the other project Whittlesea Council’s Access Denied campaign calls for.

“Building this railway line will help people wanting to get into the city, but does nothing to make the daily commute any easier for people travelling west by car on to the Western Ring Rd from Mernda and Doreen,’’ Ms Horner said.

“(The interchange) would reduce traffic congestion in Epping central by getting people on to the Hume Freeway at O’Herns Rd and at the same time separate freight and emergency services vehicle movements from those of private commuters on Cooper St.”

The $115 million project is in the safe Labor seat of Thomastown, held by Bronwyn Halfpenny.

Ms Horner said the project would see returns of $348 million in the state’s economic output during construction, and an additional $91 million a year thereafter.

“It is a shame that both sides of politics continue to pour money into marginal seats and leave safe seats languishing in funding black holes without the services and infrastructure they need,’’ she said.

“It’s about time that funding starts to be allocated on a needs basis rather than on what will deliver wins in marginal electorates.”

Access Denied logo

You can support the Access Denied campaign by:

Visiting the campaign website here;

‘Liking’ Extend the rail line to Mernda’s Facebook page here;

Aurora Community Association’s Facebook page here; and

Whittlesea Leader’s Facebook page here.