After years of delays, this week the Yarra Valley community received the long awaited news that the Maroondah Highway and Killara Road intersection upgrade is planned to commence next year.
Representatives of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport confirmed in Senate Estimates on Monday 4 November that construction is expected to start in mid-2025.
The answer came in response to questions submitted by federal Casey MP Aaron Violi around the proposed timeline for the project.
Mr Violi said this news was welcomed by the community that has long been waiting for these vital safety upgrades.
“The former Liberal Government funded this project in 2019. Both state and federal Labor Governments have continuously delayed and failed to get started on the project, so it is fantastic to have Labor finally confirm construction is expected to begin mid-2025,” he said.
Mr Violi also recently wrote to the Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety seeking an update on the commencement of the project.
The Victorian Government confirmed the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) has been engaged in preconstruction activities on the project, including a detailed assessment of scope elements, determination of site impacts and work on the delivery strategy for the project.
Preconstruction activities also include development of the project program, which is expected in early 2025.
The program will include details on the timing of community consultation, and the commencement and completion of project construction.
Mr Violi urged the government to get on with community consultation as a priority.
“It is disappointing that Coldstream and Yarra Valley residents, community organisations and and business owners are yet to be consulted on this project,” he said.
“The Coldstream CFA Fire Brigade has been instrumental in advocating for this upgrade for the safety of all residents. It is vital the CFA and local community is consulted as a priority and I will hold the government to account to ensure a proper consultation process occurs.
“If the Labor Government is going to meet its own deadline of mid-2025 for construction, they must begin consulting with the community immediately.”
