Hobsons Bay Council voices concerns over Labor’s West Gate Distributor proposal

LABOR has promised its solution to the west’s truck woes would not involve the destruction of Spotswood houses, Spotswood Oval and the West Gate Golf Course.

Truck diesel fumes affecting health of Western suburbs residents. A truck heads up Somerville Rd, Yarraville.

LABOR has promised its solution to the west’s truck woes would not involve the destruction of Spotswood houses, Spotswood Oval and the West Gate Golf Course.

The Labor Party announced last month it would can the East West Link in favour of the West Gate Distributor, which would involve freeway on and off-ramps, if it were elected to government in November’s state election.

The Hobsons Bay council had expressed concern Labor’s distributor would involve the acquisition of houses and encroach on the Donald McLean Reserve, the oval and golf course.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Are you worried about development in the area? Tell us below.

The council has begun implementing its $4.7 million, 10-year masterplan for the reserve, including new ­pavilions, paths, public toilets, picnic area, skate park and playground.

The oval is home to the Spotswood football and cricket clubs.

Williamstown state Labor MP Wade Noonan said the community would be consulted as part of the planning process for the project, estimated to cost $400-500 million in a possible public/private partnership.

“The design is expected to have minimal impact on the Spotswood Oval and the West Gate Golf Course,” Mr Noonan said

“The West Gate Distributor will remove thousands of trucks from local roads and provide much needed relief for local residents and households.”- Wade Noonan.

He said private property acquisitions in Hobsons Bay were not expected.

Mayor Sandra Wilson said the council wanted to know as soon as possible what the scale of the impact of the distributor would be on Hobsons Bay’s valued open space and private property.

“We welcome comprehensive consultation that will explain the proposed benefits and the impacts to our community,’’ she said.

In the meantime, the council has declared it would continue to advocate for the western section of the East West Link.

Cr Angela Altair told last week’s council meeting that given the lack of detail about Labor’s promised West Gate Distributor, the council felt the East West Link was the more “beneficial option”.

“We really do need to ask a lot of questions of the proponents about the social and environmental impacts on open space should the West Gate Distributor go ahead.”