BNFNG letter to Mr Josh Frydenberg

In this final week of campaigning for the Federal election, residents would most likely have received a personalised letter from Mr Josh Frydenberg (the Liberal candidate for Kooyong) detailing some key election policies.

Interestingly, the letter states the following:

"Some of my local commitments in Kooyong include:

• ...
• $375,000 in direct action environmental initiatives at Koonung Creek Reserve...

...PS. I'm asking you to vote Liberal on Saturday to ... get things done locally."

In response (and given the ongoing frustration in dealing with State respresentatives and VicRoads), Mary of BNFNG has written to Mr Frydenberg seeking assistance in regard to the noise dilemma we continue to endure.

[Read the letter here (~115KB) or visit the BNFNG Releases web-page.]

Don't forget to vote on Saturday 21st August (and in the upcoming State election too...)

.

Boroondara Bulletin, July 2010

The latest edition of the City of Boroondara publication Boroondara Bulletin contains a feature on freeway noise, including a contribution from Mary of BNFNG.

See the article here

or

download the July 2010 Bulletin here (~2.4MB)

Comments welcome !

Emails - Ensure BNFNG is on your "Safe" List

Some members have advised that they are not receiving our email updates. However, upon checking, we have found that they are on our email distribution list.

So, if you've contacted us & registered for emails but haven't received any, would you please ensure that our email address bnfng@aol.com.au is added to your "Safe List".

If you want to check that you are on our email list, please email us at bnfng@aol.com.au.

Thanks

Seeking donations of dirt to complete the noise mounds?

We've missed out on any funding in the current State budget again?
Is it because we're not in a labor or marginal electorate?
Maybe we should just do it ourselves?
Surely there's some spare dirt in the State that could be used to complete the noise mounds that we were promised in the early 1990's?
Tell us what you think?
What do you suggest?

Other Actions/Suggestions

• Sign - "Trucks - Avoid Using Engine Brakes" .... Yes, VicRoads have confirmed that a sign was installed on 4 March 2010. It's approx 600 m before the Bulleen Road exist on the Balwyn North side.
• Night Time Noise Policies - We are in contact with other resident groups in other areas along Eastlink regarding the need for nightime noise policies and restrictions, particularly re truck noise. We will advise further in this regard.
• Koonung Creek Reserve Advisory Committee - If you are interested in joining/contributing, please email bnfng@aol.com.au.
  

Begging for Barriers

Good news

Via Progress Leader article today (see here), our council is actively pursuing funding to achieve the much needed and long overdue noise attenuation measures for Balwyn North residents and users of the beautiful Koonung Creek Reserve.

Thank you to our Mayor Jack Wegman and everyone at our Council and VicRoads for their efforts to date ... However, we still have a long way to go to achieve relief from the horrific increase in noise and pollution ...

To reinforce the horrible increase in noise levels from the M3 and sleep deprivation of residents from trucks that go "all night long" and engine brakes that "grind" along the whole section from Doncaster Road to Bulleen Road as the trucks slow to exit, you might like to personally write to our Mayor Cr Jack Wegman, City of Boroondara, Private Bag 1, Camberwell , VIC, 3124 (email Jack.Wegman@boroondara.vic.gov.au) and our councillor Brad Miles (email Brad.Miles@boroondara.vic.gov.au)

Council - Draft North East Precinct Project Report

There is currently a draft report on the Council’s website [draft North East Precinct Project report] and accompanying survey for community feedback.

• Please read the report as it contains much interesting information about our community.
• This is a great opportunity to have your say, but you need to do this by 5 March.
• It is also available from the Balwyn Community Centre, all libraries and Council's customer service centres.
• I was at one of the focus sessions (early 2009) mentioned in the report and spoke strongly about the upset in our community regarding freeway noise and the lack of resident input regarding the Koonung Creek Reserve. It’s unfortunate that it only warranted a couple of lines in the report.
• I hadn't realised until that focus session that Balwyn North is the least serviced area in Boroondara with regard to Council facilities - we essentially have none - no community centre, library, etc - no where for residents to communicate with each other. Our only public transport option is an infrequent bus service, which in my opinion is insufficient for our community. Our Koonung Creek Reserve is an integral part of our community and the affects of freeway noise and pollution on it should be a major issue for council as well as any future threats to it by freeway extensions (i.e. expansion to 6 lanes which we understand is in the planning stage and the North East Link).
• Please utilise this opportunity to have your say about freeway noise and other issues that concern you and let your neighbours know.

Parliament House Rally - 24 Feb 2010

There will be a rally on the steps of Parliament House, on 24 Feb 2010.

"...may be an opportunity for BNFNG to get on board...."

Other groups have freeway issues too !

Main details here: savethepines.net

The 3CR site also has details, here: 3CR Rally to SAVE OUR BUSH

(a full-size version of the flyer is here)

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.