Matt Johnston: Matthew Guy’s shrewd road to the election
MATTHEW Guy’s big-spending roads plan gives frustrated motorists plenty to think about while sitting in traffic between now and November’s election, writes Matt Johnston.
Opinion
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MATTHEW Guy’s big-spending roads plan gives frustrated motorists plenty to think about while sitting in traffic between now and November’s election.
In many ways, it is politically shrewd, presenting a clear point of difference from Labor on tackling congestion while avoiding energy-sapping and distracting brawls over some key projects.
Labor under Daniel Andrews can’t promise to build the East West Link, because he dumped signed contracts for it after winning the 2014 election.
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Clearly, the Liberals believe that road is still popular with voters.
But rather than just resurrect an old plan, Guy will ask the Office of Projects Victoria to advise which of two possible routes he should build.
One could see the cross-city road connect to the West Gate Tunnel, which the Coalition now accepts will be built whether it likes it or not. So, rather than quibble about its merits, it’s decided to make the case for boosting its benefits by building a road Labor won’t.
The East West Link entrance could also be shifted further up the Eastern Freeway, removing messy acquisition disputes — though that risks backlash over freeway reservation use.
One glaring hole in Guy’s plan, which is deliberately barren of finer detail five months out from the election, concerns money.
The West Gate Tunnel, the East West Link, and the North East Link are a triple bypass representing $30 billion-plus worth of roads expenditure.
That should be enough to give shadow treasurer Michael O’Brien heart palpitations before he even considers $4-5 billion for removing traffic light intersections, $11 billion for the Metro Rail Tunnel, and $10 billion-plus for an airport rail link.
But the Coalition is comfortable in having almost $7 billion on the table from federal and state contributions, not including any private investment, to start both roads within a couple of years.
Frustrated motorists are getting louder as Melbourne grows quickly.
Guy is banking on their support to deliver a political bang for the big bucks he is promising to spend.
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