The Warrandyte Community Association meets with Nillumbik Shire Council every six months. This was the result from the last meeting.
18th April 2016
Letter to Stuart Burdack, CEO of Nillumbik Shire Council
Dear Stuart,
Many thanks for making time available to discuss Warrandyte issues last Friday. Your time is much appreciated. As promised, I attach a note highlighting concerns raised by a number of residents about the proposed alterations to the Warrandyte Bridge (by no means comprehensive but illustrative). Whilst there are those in favour of the plan, those against and those with questions about it – there is overwhelming concern that promised community wide consultation did not take place. To assist you in writing to VicRoads to engage with residents’ concerns, the involvement of the WCA in this issue has been as follows:
- In 2005 we held a Transport Forum attended by VicRoads staff at which gridlock emerged as a major issue.
- WCA subsequently lobbied for improvements to public transport, the ’N E Arterial’ and links to the ring road.
- Following the 2009 fires, WCA began holding bushfire meetings, culminating in the award winning ‘Be Ready Warrandyte’ campaign. At all these meetings gridlock especially on the bridge was raised by residents.
- On 9 October 2014, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Kim Wells, signed off on a memo from Emergency Management Victoria which recommended: “That you support the initiation of a feasibility study to be led by VicRoads and supported by a working party including Nillumbik and Manningham municipalities, Victoria Police, CFA and the Warrandyte Community Association.”
- VicRoads then commissioned Trafficworks Pty Ltd to do an ‘Emergency Management Investigation, North Warrandyte’: Final Report 31/07/15.
- At no time was WCA involved in the study or made aware of the 9 October 2014 recommendation.
- On 12th November 2015 VicRoads (at the invitation of Justin Murray) attended an Emergency Management Forum organised jointly by WCA, Nillumbik and Manningham EM Officers. VicRoads presented some data from the study and promised further consultation on what was presented as a preliminary proposal.
- VicRoads personnel attended the Warrandyte Historical Society/WCA joint Xmas event on 4th December 2015 and noted comments from those attending (members of WHS & WCA, not general public).
- The Victorian Government announced Bridge works 1 March 2016; followed by a huge controversy on Facebook and media.
- WCA obtained a copy of the Trafficworks study on 16th March.
- VicRoads, at the suggestion of WCA, attended the Warrandyte Festival on 19th March (somewhat incongruously under the banner of ‘Happy Travel’!) and again noted comments and concerns from residents but did not engage in debate.
- Subsequently Brian Westerly from VicRoads has agreed to meet with David Carty and several other concerned residents during the week of 26th April.
- VicRoads have enquired about booking a venue for a public meeting but no further information has been forthcoming. WCA have suggested the Warrandyte Community Church.
As a footnote: at the Warrandyte Festival, WCA invited residents to comment on their vision for Warrandyte on a ‘Writers’ Wall’: 312 chalked responses included 41 on gridlock. Comments were to reduce traffic through Warrandyte by completing major road works (Ring Road, Reynolds Road and/or alternative bypass); there was no support for widening the bridge and a strong “no” to traffic lights.
Kind Regards
Dick Davies
President
Warrandyte Community Association Inc.
0413 753 622
Unanswered questions and concerns raised by residents about proposed alterations to the Warrandyte Bridge – 160418 concerns about the Bridge
Traffic Works Study, Emergency Management Investigation, North Warrandyte – 150731 North Warrandyte_Emergency Management Plan_Final_150731_part1