Update 2 August 2011

• Unfortunately, there is no positive news for members of our group since our meeting with Ministers Rob Clark and Andrew McIntosh on 14 April 2011.
  


• Letters were sent to to Terry Mulder and Ryan Smith (State Ministers) in early June '11 requesting a meeting regarding truck noise - Minister Mulder has not responded, whilst Minister Smith advised it was not his area of responsibility. (This is concerning, as he is Minister for the Environment).
  
  
• There is an article in 'The Age' today (2/8/11, on p.3) regarding the possibility of additional vehicles lanes on our section of the freeway by utilising the emergency lanes.


• Boroondara Council is having a meeting on 16 August '11 to discuss the freeway noise issue within Boroondara. Representatives from the various groups representing residents on this matter are attending (five attendees from BNFNG).

(...and see all of the links to relevant media items) on the BNFNG website...)

Meeting - 14 April 2011

From Mary at BNFNG:

On 14 April 2011, BNFNG (represented by Mary Harnan, Ben Dawson & Barry Watson) met with Robert Clark MP (Victorian Attorney-General & Minister for Finance) and Andrew McIntosh MP (Victorian Minister for Corrections). Also present were James Copsey (Assistant Adviser, Office of the Attorney-General) and Boroondara Councillor Brad Miles.

The Minutes of the meeting can be read on the BNFNG website. In summary:

• Rob Clark and Andrew McIntosh will follow up the $100,000,000 allocated by the previous government and lobby for funding for noise treatments for Balwyn North residents and explore options for solutions to the noise problem.
• Rob Clark will also investigate the 1992 broken promise with regard to completing the promised noise attenuation measures (i.e. continuous dirt mounds with wooden fences on top).
• BNFNG to write to the Minister for Transport and Minister for Environment regarding the banning of truck engine brakes at night on the Eastern Freeway, night time truck speed restriction and issues regarding trucks using Rosanna Road as a shortcut between the Eastern Freeway and the Ring Road when there is currently a continuous freeway (Monash) route they can use (and previously used) to reach the Ring Road and thus the Hume Highway.
• Rob Clark and Andrew McIntosh to explore the North East Link plans with Nick Kotsiras.
• Rob Clark to find out more about Doncaster rail link to ensure Balwyn North community is involved and considered in this development.
• Rob Clark to find out who is responsible for SEPP Noise Policy and what has happened to the 2002 Draft Noise Policy.


[Stay tuned… ! ! ]

Status - March 2011

Representatives will be meeting with Rob Clark MP and Andrew McIntosh MP (State representatives for the Balwy North area) on 14 April 2011.

The issues we will be focussing on:

• Noise attenuation measures for older sections of freeway (e.g. Balwyn North) from the current available budget allocation
• Development of a fair and consistent State policy re protecting communities from freeway noise
• A night time noise policy
• Proposed North East Link
• Proposed Doncaster Rail Link

We will update members of BNFNG after the meeting.

Our mayor, Nick Tragas, is also pursuing discussions on our behalf with Terry Mulder MP (Transport Minister).

A new community group requires your support - Friends of Koonung Creek Reserve - you can contact them by emailing friendskcr@hotmail.com