Help Us Preserve the Green Wedge and the Safety and Character of Hurstbridge, Surrounding Towns and Rural Roads

A recent decision by Major Roads Projects Victoria (MRPV) threatens the safety, character, and environment of Hurstbridge, Wattle Glen, Diamond Creek, Doreen, and surrounding areas.

In the Yan Yean Rd upgrade project, MRPV presented several options for the Bridge Inn Road – Yan Yean Road intersection. The intersection Option C was overwhelmingly supported by Nillumbik and Whittlesea councils, the community, and the Doreen Traders.

Option C is a suitably sized intersection that directs traffic onto major metropolitan routes.

In a bizarre move, MRPV has opted for Option B, an oversized intersection that unnecessarily funnels traffic through our towns, rural roads, and towards the single-lane Monash Bridge and other single-lane bridges.

We support upgrading Yan Yean Road, but we strongly oppose Option B for the following reasons:

• Option B is an oversized and expensive intersection design. It includes 2 non-turn lanes that direct westbound traffic through the narrow, rural backroads of Hurstbridge and Diamond Creek instead of directing traffic to use Yan Yean Rd and Diamond Creek Rd which are the major metropolitan route roads.
• It threatens community safety by increasing traffic through small townships, impacting pedestrians and wildlife, and putting pressure on our single-lane bridge.
• Higher traffic volume will increase the number of wildlife strikes on local fauna and add to the strain on wildlife carers. 
• It destroys six ancient River Red Gums, vital habitats for wildlife.
• It bypasses the Doreen trading and local business precinct, so threatens retail viability and local jobs in Doreen. 

Instead, we call on the State Government and MRPV to adopt Option C, which is:

• Better for traffic flow: It directs commuter traffic to use the major metropolitan route roads (Yan Yean and Diamond Creek Road) rather than narrow rural and township roads. 
• Environmentally responsible: It saves the “Doreen Two” River Red Gums on the intersection corner and six ancient River Red Gums in the southeast paddock, which are centuries old, ecologically valuable, and home to wildlife. These trees are important secondary feed trees for the critically endangered Swift Parrot.
• Cost-effective: Option C avoids wasting money on an oversized intersection, freeing funds for critical areas like health and education.
• Community-preferred: It is the preferred choice of Whittlesea and Nillumbik Councils, community groups, and the Doreen Traders group.
• Supportive of local business: It provides access to Hurstbridge via Doctors Gully Rd which will be realigned to the north of the main intersection. This preserves the Hurstbridge township as a destination rather than converting it to a through-road for west-east bound commuters. 
  It retains the current access to, and visibility of the Doreen trading and local business precinct. 
• Protective of rural character:  It preserves the unique charm of Hurstbridge and the rural areas of Doreen by preventing pressure to develop Monash Bridge and surrounding rural and township roads.

With Option C, the Yan Yean Rd upgrade can go ahead while protecting community safety in our townships and on our rural roads, avoiding increased wildlife road toll, and avoiding unnecessary ancient tree destruction.  

By signing this petition, you join us in urging our local councils to advocate strongly for Option C and calling on State MPs Lauren Kathage and Cindy McLeish to represent our communities' interests by pushing MRPV to adopt Option C.

Every signature counts in preserving our towns’ safety, wildlife, local businesses, and rural character.