By Cam Lucadou-Wells
The State Opposition has threatened to block a funding plank for the Western Distributor project, claiming south-eastern residents would pay tolls for a road they “may never use”.
The $5.1 billion project in Melbourne’s west was to be part funded by the State Government and CityLink operator Transurban.
As part of the deal, Transurban would fund most of the project in exchange for extending tolls on CityLink for up to 12 further years.
On a visit to Sweeney Reserve, Berwick, on 1 February, Opposition leader Matthew Guy demanded to see the business case and funding model presented in Parliament.
“It’s up to (the Government) to show us the figures.
“I want to know exactly how much money is being gouged out of south-east motorists to feed to the western suburbs to build a truck route over there.
“If you live in the south-east and using the CityLink tolls you would be paying for a road you may never see (and) you may never use.”
Opposition roads spokesman Ryan Smith said Premier Daniel Andrews had backed himself into a corner in his negotiations with Transurban.
“We just want to make sure the deal is the best it can be.”
Under the proposal, the State Government would contribute $1.6 billion for the road – designed to divert trucks from the West Gate Bridge.
The Government was not able to provide a response by deadline.
