Fastrack Shogaki Drive Construction and Delivery
The issue
Since its initial development the growing population of over 11,200 residents of Thornhill Park, City of Melton have had marginalised and minimal arterial and road access in and our of the area via either the Western Freeway (7th busiest freeway in Australia) or Alfred Rd which has been under construction on and off since late 2022.
In June 2022 I launched a petition after receiving notice from Council Officers that Shogaki Drive a linking arterial road was not part of the City of Meltons road strategy and was not due for beyond long term delivery. I collected 541 signatures and the petition was submitted to Council in June 2022, in March 2023 a report on the Petition was tabled at the Council Meeting and report voted on unanimously recommending the road be built.
-Timelines were provided 6-12 (October 23-to March 24) months for land negotiations and after that 12-18 months to deliver the stages required(October 2024 to March 2025). Whilst negotiations were held design works would commence.
In February 2024, in Confidential Business the Shogaki Land Purchase was discussed and tabled.
Early 2025 the land was settled on. 24 plus months after initial timeline.
February 2025, City of Melton Council endorsed a submission to apply for Victoria State Goverment GAIC funding of $4,957,830 for Shogaki drive with Council contributing $4,957,830 as part of its required funding Contribution.
In the June City of Melton Budget 2025/2026 $500,000 was allocated for Shogaki Drive design works.
The City of Melton is 100% Councils responsibility to fund and complete and regardless of the GAIC outcome, City of Melton is 100% responsible to fund and deliver this project.
In late August 2025 I reached out to all Councillors on multiple occasions due to the impact of extended road closures on Alfred Rd continuing to impact Thornhill Park residents and surrounding communities
Below is the response I received.
Matt Pearse-Email to Councilors to seek response
"What is the update on Shogaki Drive to further prevent further arterial road impacts to Thornhill Park residents since this arterial road issue is Councils responsibility that they have been ducking for the last 5 years, allowing developers and road infrastructure to be left unchecked.
Response received 29/8/2025
Alex Nealer
Councillor Liaison Officer | Melton City Council
"Shogaki Drive connecting Mt Cottrell to Ferris Road is currently scheduled to be constructed in 2028. Melton Council are looking at options to fast track this project."
What is at stake for the continued delays is the community continuing to struggle day in day out getting in and out of their homes as the area continues to experience record growth if nothing is done, Council refuses to rule out future Alfred Rd closures and wont stop developers closing this key arterial.
I am asking for your help, your support, and your signature.
For the City of Melton to :
- FastTrack Delivery of Shogaki Drive before 2028
- Ensure future Alfred Road closures are halted until Shogaki Drive is built.
- For the City of Melton to Publicly Apologise to residents of Thornhill Park and the City of Melton for the delay delivery of Shogaki Drive and the impact the closures of Alfred Road have had on the arterial network on the City of Melton
967
The issue
Since its initial development the growing population of over 11,200 residents of Thornhill Park, City of Melton have had marginalised and minimal arterial and road access in and our of the area via either the Western Freeway (7th busiest freeway in Australia) or Alfred Rd which has been under construction on and off since late 2022.
In June 2022 I launched a petition after receiving notice from Council Officers that Shogaki Drive a linking arterial road was not part of the City of Meltons road strategy and was not due for beyond long term delivery. I collected 541 signatures and the petition was submitted to Council in June 2022, in March 2023 a report on the Petition was tabled at the Council Meeting and report voted on unanimously recommending the road be built.
-Timelines were provided 6-12 (October 23-to March 24) months for land negotiations and after that 12-18 months to deliver the stages required(October 2024 to March 2025). Whilst negotiations were held design works would commence.
In February 2024, in Confidential Business the Shogaki Land Purchase was discussed and tabled.
Early 2025 the land was settled on. 24 plus months after initial timeline.
February 2025, City of Melton Council endorsed a submission to apply for Victoria State Goverment GAIC funding of $4,957,830 for Shogaki drive with Council contributing $4,957,830 as part of its required funding Contribution.
In the June City of Melton Budget 2025/2026 $500,000 was allocated for Shogaki Drive design works.
The City of Melton is 100% Councils responsibility to fund and complete and regardless of the GAIC outcome, City of Melton is 100% responsible to fund and deliver this project.
In late August 2025 I reached out to all Councillors on multiple occasions due to the impact of extended road closures on Alfred Rd continuing to impact Thornhill Park residents and surrounding communities
Below is the response I received.
Matt Pearse-Email to Councilors to seek response
"What is the update on Shogaki Drive to further prevent further arterial road impacts to Thornhill Park residents since this arterial road issue is Councils responsibility that they have been ducking for the last 5 years, allowing developers and road infrastructure to be left unchecked.
Response received 29/8/2025
Alex Nealer
Councillor Liaison Officer | Melton City Council
"Shogaki Drive connecting Mt Cottrell to Ferris Road is currently scheduled to be constructed in 2028. Melton Council are looking at options to fast track this project."
What is at stake for the continued delays is the community continuing to struggle day in day out getting in and out of their homes as the area continues to experience record growth if nothing is done, Council refuses to rule out future Alfred Rd closures and wont stop developers closing this key arterial.
I am asking for your help, your support, and your signature.
For the City of Melton to :
- FastTrack Delivery of Shogaki Drive before 2028
- Ensure future Alfred Road closures are halted until Shogaki Drive is built.
- For the City of Melton to Publicly Apologise to residents of Thornhill Park and the City of Melton for the delay delivery of Shogaki Drive and the impact the closures of Alfred Road have had on the arterial network on the City of Melton
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Petition created on 4 September 2025