From left, resident Tony Ciaveralla, Liberal candidate for Narre Warren South Michael Shepherdson, resident Ann Ciaveralla, La Trobe MP Jason Wood and Liberal candidate for Narre Warren North Cr Mick Morland.By Jim Mynard
LA TROBE MP Jason Wood said he had exhausted every avenue for Federal Government funding to help build noise barriers along the Berwick section of Monash Freeway between Clyde Road and Beaconsfield.
Failure of successive governments to build the barriers has created enormous stress to residents living along the freeway (see Letters, Page 22).
Strathaven Drive resident Ann Ciaveralla said her family moved to the area 14 years ago.
“When we came there were two streets and it was like country, but since then we have had to install rollup shutters because the noise starts at 4.30am every weekday and is now increasing on weekends,” she said.
“We also have a serious problem with schoolchildren breaking through fences along the freeway to take a shortcut. This is creating a real safety issue.”
Mr Wood said the matter was a State Government responsibility and he could only show his support for Liberal Party state candidates and residents lobbying to have the barriers built.
Liberal candidate for Narre Warren South Michael Shepherdson said the barriers had been put back on the priority list.
“I ask, why does Mr Bracks expect people to put up with this noise and intrusion on their privacy?” he said.
“The problem is virtually from Clyde Road to the Cardinia Creek.
“It impacts on Berwick people south of the freeway and people in the Brookvale development, Beaconsfield, north of the freeway.”
Liberal candidate for Narre Warren North Councillor Mick Morland said the lack of sound barriers between the Clyde Road and the Beaconsfield area along the Berwick Bypass was a disgrace.
“The State Government’s lack of action and disregard for the lifestyle of residents along this stretch of road is inexcusable,” he said.
Cr Morland said Narre Warren South MP Dale Wilson promised that his government would build these barriers, and once elected he again assured residents this would happen.
“He later advised the same people it was not on the Government’s priority list and that it did not have the minister’s support,” he said.
“I am sure if the bypass was in the minister’s area it would be high on his priority list.
“At the last election the traffic noise was above the state required level and since then the amount of traffic has increased by 37 per cent.
“Berwick and Beaconsfield people are sick of promises and the lack of action. They want sound barriers and they want them now.
“They want what every other person in Victoria gets when they live beside a freeway. I tell the Government get of your backside and look after your fellow Victorians.
“At the last State election, Premier Steve Bracks said he governed for all Victorians. What about these Victorians who have to live with noise from traffic 24 hours a day, seven days a week?”
Mr Wood said part of the freeway had missed out on barriers and there would be more noise as traffic volumes increased.
