CoM considers Distributor

The City of Melbourne has called on the State Government to consider the potential impact of the Western Distributor project on the value of the E-Gate site.

The Council made the statement in response to a call for submissions on the Western Distributor Environmental Effects Statement (EES) scoping requirements.

The draft scoping requirements call for the EES to describe the current and proposed uses for required land that may be affected temporarily or permanently by the toll road project in areas including E-Gate, Arden Macaulay and Fishermans Bend, among others.

But the City of Melbourne says the EES should also “value the impacts of the project on the land and compare the value of the land when used for project use as well as other uses to which it might be put if the project were conceived differently.”

The current design for the CBD end of the project would see three exits, connecting with Dynon Rd, Wurundjeri Way and Footscray Rd.

Current designs indicate Wurundjeri Way would be extended along the railway perimeter of the E-Gate site, connecting with the Western Distributor and with Dynon Rd.

This was a change from previous designs, which appeared to show the road cutting through the middle of the E-Gate site, having major ramifications for the planned urban renewal.

Along with calling for a thorough examination of the impact of the Western Distributor project on land values, the City of Melbourne made a number of other suggestions relating to both Docklands and E-Gate in its submission.

The Council has recommended that the EES consider future transport networks and links to ensure it doesn’t “build out” future transport links such as public transport services into E-Gate and enhancement to public transport serving Docklands.

And, while the draft scoping requirements call for the EES to consider public open space and recreational facilities that could be affected by the project, the council says this should be expanded to include areas that may have become public space in the future, “such as sections of the E-Gate site which may have been or may be proposed as recreation areas and may be affected by city access connections”.