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!!!!!