Join us at a community event to support our call for the Federal and State Governments to Fix the Calder
The event will be held on Saturday 20 April at Overnewton Gatehouse Hall, Keilor, from 9.30am. All are welcome.
The Calder is one of Australia’s most dangerous roads and safety upgrades are urgently needed.
A new advocacy brochure on ‘Improving the Calder Highway’ will be launched at the event.
The brochure has been produced by the Calder Highway Improvement Committee (CHIC), which consists of the councils of Brimbank, Buloke Shire, Greater Bendigo, Hume, Loddon Shire, Macedon Ranges Shire, Melton, Mildura, and Mount Alexander Shire. The brochure outlines CHIC’s priorities for improving safety on the Calder Highway.
Since Brimbank Council first launched the Fix the Calder campaign in April 2021, the State Government announced:
- $50 million for minor upgrades, planning and investigative works
- the level crossing removal at Calder Park Drive, due for completion in 2025
- a business case (now completed) to investigate a diamond interchange at Calder Park Drive
These are important and welcome first steps, but there is still a long way to go. We were also very disappointed with the Federal Government’s decision to withdraw the $50m promised by the previous government, especially as this is only a fraction of what is required.
Brimbank Council is calling on the Federal Government to reassess the project and provide adequate funding to make the Calder safe. We’re also calling on the Victorian Government to increase its $50m funding commitment and release the findings and recommendations of the Calder Park Drive Interchange business case.
Works needed
- Upgrade the Calder Freeway between the Western Ring Road (M80) and the Melton Highway to bring it up to freeway standard:
- Add lanes from Keilor Park Drive to Melton Highway
- Widen the Maribyrnong River Bridge
- Build a full diamond interchange at the intersection of the Calder Freeway and Calder Park Drive
- Duplicate Calder Park Drive between the Calder Freeway and Melton Highway.
Brimbank Mayor, Cr Ranka Rasic said: “I encourage everyone who uses the Calder Highway to support our call for urgent action by State and Federal Governments to Fix the Calder.
“Attend the community event to learn more about the call to fix this dangerous road and how you can support the campaign.
“The Calder Highway is a dangerous road that can no longer wait for upgrades. The community desperately needs this road fixed, and we need it fixed now.
“You can also visit our campaign webpage fixthecalder.brimbank.vic.gov.au for more information.”
