By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A COUNCILLOR’S mounting concerns regarding a dilapidated stretch of Heatherton Road will see the City of Casey seek help from the State Government.
The City of Casey this month agreed to write to Planning Minister Matthew Guy and VicRoads Chief Executive John Merritt regarding the current state of Heatherton Road between Stud and Hallam North Roads, after Four Oaks ward councillor Rafal Kaplon raised the issue at council.
Cr Kaplon said the main problems with this stretch of Heatherton Road included a lack of maintenance of the median strip and sides of the road, the lack of lighting in certain places, the need for an upgraded intersection and an additional lane each way to address traffic jams during peak hour.
He said council would now prepare a strategy to have the run-down section of Heatherton Road included in the State Government’s Plan Melbourne Boulevard Strategy.
“The State Government’s Plan Melbourne strategy recognises the need for more boulevards in Melbourne which would allow the street to be further developed not only to meet current shortcomings, but also to make the road part of Melbourne’s unique boulevard culture and serve as a premier gateway entry road into the City of Casey,” he said.
“A lot of work needs to occur to the land on both sides of the road – this should be carried out by VicRoads, however spending money on maintanence and aesthetics are not highly valued by the organisation.”
VicRoads Metropolitan South East Regional Director Adam Maguire said there were no proposals for future works at thesection of Heatherton Road between Stud and Hallam North Roads.
“VicRoads is willing to work with City of Casey to investigate any issues raised about Heatherton Road in Endeavour Hills, between Stud Road and Hallam North Road,” he said.
