Bulleen Freeway ??

From Martin:

NORTH EAST LINK THREAT.

See 'The Age' article of [16] December 2009 here

Premier of Victoria response to the BNFNG

From Mary at BNFNG:

Premier Brumby has now responded to a video question from Balwyn North residents on his YouTube site, where residents asked for his help with regard to the horrible levels of noise currently being experienced, particularly since the advent of Eastlink.

Unfortunately, there’s no Xmas cheer for Balwyn North residents.

View his response (here)

Premier Brumby’s very eloquent response was essentially I DON’T GIVE A DAMN – talk to VicRoads.

Reminder regarding the Ward Meeting on 5 Nov 2009

(A reminder from Martin:):

Don't forget the Bellevue Ward Meeting on Freeway Noise, sponsored by Cr. Brad Miles:

7.00pm, THURSDAY 5 November 2009 (Oaks Day)

Marwal Centre, 9 Marwal Ave., Balwyn North (Marwal Ave is off Doncaster Rd, 1 block east of Bulleen Road - see map below)

• Have your say on how the Freeway is affecting you
• Hear what's being done to help.
• Tell us what you want.

See you all there !

View Larger Map

Council Meeting for Residents - 5 Nov 2009

A Ward Meeting has been organised by our Councillor Brad Miles for 7pm on Thursday 5 November 2009 at the Marwal Centre in Balwyn North.
A council notice should be coming out shortly regarding this. Please keep the date free and rejuggle commitments if you are able to as we need to meet as a community to discuss our current situation.
Also, please spread the word amongst your neighbours.
We all need to be aware that VicRoads have no plans to remedy the gaps in our limited noise attenuation measures, i.e. dirt mounds, until the noise level reaches 68 dBA, which is effectively more than a doubling of current noise levels. Even then, we would only be added to a list to be allocated funds when the State budget allows.

A question for the Premier, Mr Brumby

On the web-site for the Premier of Victoria, Mr Brumby, an opportunity is provided to ask questions of the premier.

The BNFNG has submitted a question regarding the plight of Balwyn North residents and the M3 Freeway noise.

If you wish to view our video question (and, if you approve, to vote for it !) you can visit the Premiers site HERE. Then click the VOTE button. Our video is entitled:

A 'Premier Question' from the BNFNG

...and if you wish to vote for it, click the green thumbs-up icon...

BNFNG

Press Release - 30 Sep 2009

An official Press Release (30 Sep 2009) by BNFNG is now available, in response to an article in The Age newspaper on 29/9/09 ("Our Clogged Freeways Just Keep On Truckin'")

Comments (as always) are most welcome....

(...and all BNFNG releases can be viewed here)

A (minor) name change !

The core group members decided in early September to change the name of the group to the Balwyn North Freeway Noise Group, to better reflect the area of concern...

Vic Gov Media Release (23/9/09)

A Victorian Government Media Release (from the Minister for Roads and Ports) on 23 September 2009 announced: "Works to install noise barriers on the Princes Freeway in Beaconsfield and Berwick started today as part of a $12.3 million Brumby Labor Government project".

This is BNFNG's response to the announcement:

"Fantastic for Beaconsfield & Berwick residents.

. Premier Brumby, Balwyn North residents are not asking for anywhere close to $12.5m – under $1m (closer to half that) would finish the noise attenuation barriers that were originally promised to protect the families and people of Balwyn North.

. We estimate at least 1,000 people in Balwyn North are affected – that’s a meagre $500 per head."

The Age editorial/opinion 21/9/09

[This is BNFNG's response to The Age editorial/opinion published on 21 Sep 2009 entitled "Keeping left is the right move for trucks"

BNFNG raised with VicRoads at their meetings earlier this year that the nature of the traffic travelling on Eastlink/M3 since the extension was opened in mid-2008 has changed. The M3 is now a major trucking route and it goes all night long. Whereas previously it carried mainly city bound traffic (workers).

Much of the increased noise on the Bulleen to Doncaster Road section of the freeway can be attributed to large truck freight - from their turbo charged engines, compression brakes, multi wheels and the assault through the air at speed. Their noise is related to speed. The faster they travel, the greater the noise.

BNFNG asked VicRoads to consider a speed reduction for trucks, particularly at night, and restriction on use of air brakes. VicRoads reps responded that it would be too difficult to police and was unlikely to be supported at State level by decision makers. We also pointed out to VicRoads the potential of fatalities for users of the Koonung Creek Reserve as in some areas only a mesh fence protects people from the M3 traffic.

This is not a just an Australian problem. The solution has been found. You can see it in practice all over Europe and the United States. Trucks are limited to the right lane (in our case, the left lane) except for when they are overtaking and then only for a limited time. The speed is restricted to 80 kph for all traffic in the slow lane, 100 kph in all the other lanes. All trucks are limited to 80 kph on the freeway slow lanes. This helps them stop and slow quicker with less effort. It is more fuel efficient. It is safer. IT IS QUIETER. It works there, it will work here.

We need our government to now listen to its people (not just the trucking industry) regarding this noise and safety issue. It needs to be a win-win situation for all.

Vic Gov Media Release (14/9/09)

A Victorian Government Media Release (from the Minister for Roads and Ports) on 14 September 2009 "...announced $5 million to improve safety on the Eastern Freeway between Hoddle Street to Springvale Road...".

It refers to "...three fatalities at the curve between Bulleen Road and Doncaster Road...".

A response from Mary of BNFNG: "BNFNG contacted Cr Brad Miles regarding this & he advised he would followup with the Boroondara Council to obtain more information on these fatalities".

YouTube - BNFNG How Loud Is It ?

BNFNG's first video post on YouTube was created this week.
Check out all TheBNFNG video's HERE

Comments/feedback are always welcome....

Are you a member of our Group?

We're putting together a membership list of Balwyn North residents affected by the noise. Make sure you're on our distribution list by emailing us at info@bnfng.info .... thanks

Tell us how the increased freeway noise is affecting you and your family?

Meeting at Boroondara Council

Monday, 27th July Martin met with Acting Manager Engineering and Traffic, Boroondara Council to discuss outstanding issues.
A copy of our submission is available for viewing here.
Concerns were expressed over VicRoads noise policy and standards. Also problems with Council's program of noise testing and analysis to date. Lack of consultation in the last round of testing was highlighted.
We are frustrated that the increase in traffic volumes and freight usage that pervades our Section of freeway has not had a significant impact on test results. We want further testing (by an independent Contractor).
Harmony Day in the Koonung Reserve - we are asking for Council support in a BNFNG sponsored Harmony Day in August/September. We propose a day for tree planting, information exchange and socialising with our neighbours.
Any ideas most welcome...

Noise Discrimination

I find the current VicRoads Policy regarding noise confusing and discriminatory -

• Why do some residents near freeways get greater protection from noise than others?
• Why are some sections of freeways protected by a policy of 63 dBA whereas older sections have a 68 dBA policy - Do we have different ears!!!!
• Even though the BNFNG contends that our section (Bulleen Rd to Doncaster Rd) should be under the 63 dBA policy for many reasons one of which is the increase from 4 lanes to 6 lanes in the 1990's (VicRoads Policy states that lane expansions to older sections of freeways qualify them as a new section), I believe that the same policy should apply to all Victorians.
• If we can afford to fund freeways, surely we can afford to protect the health and safety of our people.
• Why are VicRoads the body responsible for policing the effects on residents? It seems like a conflict of interest. Where are the EPA in this whole equation?
• Does anyone know of any Environment Impact Statements that have been undertaken regarding the section of the M3 from Bulleen Rd to Doncaster Rd?
• I can't find any evidence, since the early 1990's, that even ONE CENT has been spent on protecting residents along this section of the freeway from the growing effects of noise and pollution.

M3 Connection to Ring Road

As a resident of Balwyn North, I am concerned about the “proposed” connection of the M3 (previously know as Eastlink) to Greensborough via Bulleen.

• Members of BNFNG attended a public meeting in Heidelberg in June by Craig Langdon, MP for Ivanhoe.
• It seems that the connection is now a “done deal” (unless private funding does not eventuate) with estimated completion 2017. The current proposal includes a tunnel from Lower Plenty Road (Macleod) exiting in Bulleen.
• It was mentioned at this meeting that the M3 would need to be widened between Bulleen Road and Tram Road to 8 lanes. Since then, we have heard that consultants have recently been commissioned by VicRoads regarding the expansion to 8 lanes. My understanding (unofficial) is that noise barriers are STILL not a component of this widening.
• To date, I am unaware of any discussions or consultation with Balwyn North residents. Once again we seem to be the "forgotten residents".
• I did not realise that the Koonung Creek Reserve is not protected - I'm really worried that we could loose some or a lot of our park!!
• When did Balwyn North, Bulleen, Heidelberg, Macleod and Watsonia become the conduit for all the trucks from Frankston, etc, to get to the Hume Highway. I thought the idea of the Ring Road was to take the traffic away from the inner areas. What happened to the original plan for the Ring Road to continue around Melbourne and connect somewhere further out - I think it was Ringwood. The old plans seem to have now disappeared off the maps (how convenient). Could it be that this route took the freeway through some marginal labour seats or am I being cynical!!!
• Do we actually have "planners". It seems that a freeway (the M3) has been extended with no real exit - so now they need to solve the problem of where the traffic goes. They've looked at the map, found the "green wedges" - whoopee - let's put a connection there!!!!!

Group's Upcoming Meeting with VicRoads

Members of BNFNG (Martin, John and myself) met with VicRoads in May 2009 (see our Submission and Press Release on this site).

We are having a follow up meeting with VicRoads on 10 August 2009 in Balwyn North and will provide an update following this meeting.

BNFNG website is alive! Blog is ready-to-go!

The BNFNG recently requested assistance to establish a web presence for the group, and the process has been largely uneventful. It's early days, but I (humbly) believe a good start has been made !

Hopefully you've had a chance to check out the website. Let us know what you think...

You're reading this on the "blog" component of the site, which will allow the core members of the group to post updates, news, etc. Comments (from anyone else) on any of the blog topics are very welcome - just click the "Comments" link below the relevant post...

Some features:

• The blog and the website are searchable if you're after something specific;
• An archive of older posts is available;
• If you understand "RSS" you can set up a feed to be updated on any new entries in the blog.

If you wish to provide any feedback on either the website or the blog, please feel free to add a comment to this post...

(Site Admin)

More coming soon...

The blog is about to go "live", so stay tuned. (Feel free to leave comments !)

Welcome

Welcome to the Boroondara North Freeway Noise Group blog !