[Greens-Media] Government pre-empts environmental assessment of Frankston Bypass (Sue Pennicuik MLC)

[Susan.Pennicuik at parliament.vic.gov.au]

Thursday 16 Oct, 2008

Government pre-empts environmental assessment of Frankston Bypass

Sue Pennicuik Greens spokesperson for Roads and Ports, said today that the 
state government’s announcement of its intention to build the Frankston 
Bypass, before an Environment Effects Statement
(EES) on the proposed project is even completed, undermines the integrity 
of the whole Victorian EES process yet again.

"Irrespective of the merits of the bypass itself, the government should 
not be spruiking this project before the EES is even completed, especially 
when the route is proposed to dissect one of the most
ecologically significant sites in the south east area," she said. "Many 
local residents in Frankston and others along the track of the proposed 
road are concerned about the loss of much of the remaining
open space in the Frankston/Moorooduc area including the Pines Flora & 
Fauna Reverse which the bypass will literally split in half."

"The Frankston Bypass, which may well cost over $1 billion before it is 
completed, is opposed by a wide range of community groups in the Frankston 
area. They point out the proposed bypass will
duplicate two existing major road links through Frankston and question 
whether it will really solve the traffic congestion problems around 
Frankston as is claimed", she said.

"The government has ‘form’ on pre-empting critical planning processes. 
They have recently brushed aside major concerns raised by the EES into the 
South Gippsland desalination plant and previously
decided to proceed with the channel deepening project and entered a 
contract with the dredging company before the EES process had been 
completed. In both cases, alternatives that would be less
costly and less environmentally damaging were not considered. There are 
less costly, and many say more effective alternatives to the bypass, but 
again they are not being considered. The EES process in this state has 
lost all credibility," said Ms Pennicuik.

"The Frankston area has one of the lowest rates of public transport use in 
metropolitan Melbourne and critics claim this is partially due to the poor 
public transport options currently available. The Greens
public transport plan proposes extending the Frankston line to Baxter with 
a station at Langwarrin and upgrading three key bus routes. In this era of 
climate change, rising petrol prices and peak oil, we need
to concentrate on public transport, not more roads", she said.

Sue Pennicuik
MLC Southern Metropolitan Region
P 03 9530 8399
F 03 9530 8499
206 Bay Street Brighton 3186
www.electedgreensvictoria.org.au

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