Bypass blow – Damon Anderson, Jasmin Casalmer, Jeff Smith and Greater Dandenong councillor Pet

By Melissa Meehan
KEYSBOROUGH residents say VicRoads must suspend contracts and finalising plans for the Dingley bypass until a comprehensive environmental study has been completed.
But VicRoads project director Frank De Santis says that thorough cultural heritage and flora and fauna investigations have already been undertaken.
Damon Anderson, spokesman for the Save Coomoora Reserve Coalition, said the threat posed by the Dingley Arterial project would affect environmental and cultural heritage values in the area and his group is now demanding an environmental effects study.
“VicRoads and the government must consult in good faith with the local community and the wider public,” Mr Anderson said.
“They must also be prepared to consider alternative options including the re-routing of the bypass away from Coomoora Reserve.”
The Dingley Arterial Bypass Project involves the construction of a four lane 3.5 kilometre dual carriage extension off the existing Westall Road extension from Springvale Road to the Dandenong Bypass.
The main message from the group is for VicRoads and the government to put children’s futures before cars and interests of residents and their nature reserve before roads.
“A more creative and far sighted approach to planning is needed,” he said.
“There are viable alternatives and those would allow us to create an integrated environmental and cultural heritage park incorporating the reserve and Aboriginal heritage sites.”
Mr De Santis said the site of the bypass was set aside 40 years ago for the purpose of building a road and development in the area has occurred with that in mind.
“This arterial road is crucial to relieve congestion on the surrounding road network. We are working hard to ensure the alignment will be located as close as possible to the southern road reserve boundary to minimise impact on the reserve,” Mr De Santis said.
“We will improve a large section of Coomoora Reserve by planting extra foliage and translocating some existing species.”
He said the Dingley Arterial Project did not meet criteria needed to warrant an EES and quashed suggestions of any deviation from the current alignment as it would require compulsory acquisition of residential and industrial land.
Construction of the bypass is due to start in late 2010.