Chain fence a weak link: business owner

By Shaun Inguanzo
A KEYSBOROUGH mechanic says a cyclone fence dividing the EastLink freeway from local businesses will not be safe enough to stop cars, trucks and loose materials from crashing through.
John Baseggio of J. and M. Bass Motors in Bridge Road told Star that EastLink ran parallel to the strip of businesses, which included his workshop.
But Mr Baseggio said he was concerned the cyclone fence that EastLink builders were constructing to divide the freeway from the commercial precinct would not be strong enough to ensure peoples’ safety.
“The level of the actual fence has been put on the same level as the freeway, so if a car is travelling at 100km/h and loses a wheel or hub cap – which happens all of the time – he’ll just virtually fly off into oncoming traffic or into Bridge Road,” Mr Baseggio said.
He suggested that EastLink builder Thiess John Holland construct a sound barrier instead, which would be made of a more sturdy material.
“I am hoping they get a noise wall like what is on the (Monash) freeway,” he said.
“Something solid like wooden fence or whatever – it will deflect stuff if a stone flies out from a tyre.”
But Thiess John Holland rejected the concerns, and said the cyclone fencing met VicRoads standards.
Company spokeswoman Megan Cusack said noise walls would only be built in areas that met certain sound standards, and that there was no requirement to construct noise walls in commercial zones.
“Chain wire fencing is, however, being constructed along the EastLink motorway at this location, in accordance with VicRoads fencing policies and EastLink contractual requirements,” Ms Cusack said.