Road saga close to end

THE long-running saga of an incomplete Berwick road could soon be over with Casey council looking set to fulfil a 20-year-old promise and finally complete Gwendoline Drive.
The unfinished road has sparked much anger and suspicion in the community with just 140 metres in the middle of the road remaining undeveloped, preventing it from becoming a through road.
At Tuesday’s council meeting councillors voted to refer a sum of $260,000 for consideration in the 2006-07 budget for the construction of the road’s middle section.
In February a letter was presented to the council on behalf of Springfield Ward ratepayers demanding a clear indication of when the stretch of road would be completed.
The letter stated that the road’s completion had been on the council agenda since May 1984 but had still not been brought to fruition.
Angry residents also claimed that in March 2000 the council stated clearly that the deviation, or completion of the road, be included in the five-year capital works program. However, this did not happen and residents have since vowed to use whatever means available – whether that be the media, letterbox drops or advertising – to bring the issue to public notice.
A council report tabled on Tuesday night stated that the current traffic demand for Gwendoline Drive was adding to resident frustration where there was an expectation to build the road earlier.
On Tuesday night Councillor Lorraine Wreford said it made “logical sense” to complete the road and it was essential to the community that the council approve the funding. Councillor Michael Farley agreed, as did River Gum Ward councillor Janet Halsall.
“This issue was bubbling around when I was previously on council,” she said. “It is high time we did something about this. We have already developed 460 metres and now there is only a tiny bit in the middle left.
“Let’s get on with it and do it,” Cr Halsall said.