Peninsula farmers force shire to rethink plan for summer traffic fix
THE Shire has a few ideas on how to fix summer traffic congestion on the Peninsula, but farmers are furious. VIEW THE PLANS
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A CONTROVERSIAL proposal to build a road through “priceless farmland” may be scrapped after furious farmers demanded a rethink.
Mornington Peninsula Shire commissioned a report into how to ease summer traffic congestion between Rosebud and Sorrento.
The aim was to avoid extending the Mornington Peninsula Freeway via an existing road reserve through Ramsar-listed Tootgarook Wetlands.
PENINSULA FARMERS TAKE GREEN WEDGE CAMPAIGN TO PARLIAMENT
PENINSULA’S $1 BILLION AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT UNDER THREAT
The investigation produced a range of alternatives from an ambitious $3 billion freeway with a bridge over or tunnel under the environmentally sensitive wetlands to introducing a congestion charge.
But it was the options that involved carving up green wedge land which have enraged Rye farmers.
Under the proposal the inland route would be duplicated, with properties on the route compulsorily acquired.
Hillock Downs, which grows lucerne cops and raises premium beef, is one of the farms in the firing line, along with a neighbouring chicken meat farm that produces about 500,000 birds every year.
Owner Eddie Matt said the report failed to consider the importance of the farmland.
“Conservation of the wetlands is equally as important as conserving food-growing irrigated farmland,” Mr Matt said.
“Once that farmland is gone, it’s gone forever.”
GROWERS LAUNCH NEW GUIDE TO BEST ON PENINSULA
FUTURE MELBOURNE: HOW CITY SPRAWL WILL AFFECT FOOD PRICES
The long-term options also threaten the Truemans Golf Range on Truemans Rd.
Owner Guy Mayer said he also faced losing farmland he used to raise cattle and grow hops.
“This is the only driving range on the Peninsula, which is a golf mecca,” Mr Mayer said.
“It doesn’t make sense to consider sacrificing 60ha of farmland so tourists can reach their destination a few minutes quicker.”
READ THE REPORT HERE
According to the investigation, building an arterial road along the existing freeway corridor would cut summer travel times between Rosebud and Sorrento by 17 minutes.
Time savings were not included for the inland route options.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Red Hill ward councillor David Gill said he didn’t believe the council had “any intention of carving up green wedge land”.
He said the report was not a “final decision” but a range of suggestions released for community consultation
The council will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday night and Cr Gill told the Leader he planned to ask for the inland route options to be removed.
MORE NEWS: