Andrews government’s $10m community grants labelled a West Gate Tunnel ‘distraction’

Furious residents who will be impacted by the mega project have accused the government of trying to buy them off with “shiny sports facilities”.

The Andrews government has been accused of trying to buy off residents impacted by its troubled $10.6 billion West Gate Tunnel, through a $10 million taxpayer-funded community grants scheme.

But locals who receive the funding have welcomed the cash injection into their groups.

The West Gate Neighbourhood Fund was established to “support communities in Melbourne’s inner west during the construction of the West Gate Tunnel Project” – which is now running three years behind schedule.

Maribyrnong Truck Action Group, which has campaigned for years on behalf of residents concerned about the safety impacts of trucks running through the inner-west, say the fund is a “distraction” from the problems that have plagued the project.

The government has pledged strict curfews in their neighbourhood when the West Gate Tunnel is completed, but this is now not due until 2025, while Covid-recovery measures have lifted curfews in some areas.

Maribyrnong Truck Action Group activists Samantha McArthur and Martin Wurt. Picture: Josie Hayden

President of MTAG, Martin Wurt, said the group had applied for a grant to buy masks for residents to protect from diesel pollution due to an increase in trucks, but was denied.

“These grants just distract from any spotlight being shone on those residents who will be most impacted by this tunnel,” he said.

“No amount of shiny sports facilities will reduce the toxic truck pollution some residents will be left breathing for decades to come.”

The first round of grants has been awarded by the government under the $10 million fund, and includes money for language programs, upgrades to sport and art centres, and even for festivals.

One of the recipients is the Italian Social Club in Altona, where new bocce courts and facilities will be built.

Co-president of the club, Angelo Basilone, said the money would help connect the local community and allow for more events and engagement with older members.

Construction on the West Gate Tunnel project in Yarraville. Picture: Aaron Francis

He said the WGT project had leased part of the club’s land during construction and he didn’t think members’ opinion of the road would change from the awarding of a grant.

“It doesn’t really bother us, it’s going to be a project that benefits the community,” he said.

“Our perspective now is like it was at the start.”

The North East Link project led to upgrades to community sport facilities while areas affected by sky rail and Peninsula Link also had funds.

A spokeswoman for the government said the state made “no apologies for supporting local communities during and after construction of vital projects”.

The West Gate Neighbourhood Fund was adopted during planning approvals in 2017 and is designed to support inner west communities most affected by the long-term construction of the West Gate Tunnel Project.

“It is an investment from the project to the local community that can start now.”