From City of Yarra – Trains not tolls

Yarra Council is helping lead a community campaign against the State Government’s proposed east-west road.

The campaign will call for government investment in trains not tollways.

Council and community members are concerned because the east-west road threatens Yarra’s liveability. The road would encourage more commuters from the eastern suburbs to drive through our city, adding traffic and pollution to local streets.

In May 2012, the State Government allocated $15 million over two years for planning works for the road. In the same month, the government began test drilling in Alexandra Parade for the project.

Here is a media release issued by Council following the government’s $15 million funding announcement.

Here is more background information about the east-west proposal.

Upcoming community campaign

Council has formed a community steering committee to run a public transport advocacy campaign. Council has allocated $100,000 in its budget to fund the campaign.

Council believes that investment in public transport is the best fix for traffic congestion as experience has shown that providing more roads only encourages more people to use cars. Continue Reading…