Seven and a half months ago Major Road Projects Authority was due to start work on the next problematic stage of widening the Western Highway. In fact on the morning of 18 June 2018, two pieces of machinery were brought on to the acquired land to begin tree felling. Luckily a large crowd of DjabWurrung supporters and KORS supporters was there as well. With the influence of DjabWurrung woman and Greens Parliamentarian Lidia Thorpe, MRPA agreed to stop work and the machinery was removed 4 days later. The 17 June application by DjabWurrung people to the Federal Environment Minister Price to protect the land where the road is planned has now been rejected, and this has been put in writing recently. But MRPA is still talking with DjabWurrung people, and we are still working to get a review of the route. The DjabWurrung camps are strengthening, especially the highway camp, even though the campers there endure traffic noise and racist abuse shouted out of windows. And MRPA is not planning to remove the camps just yet.
Separately, lawyer Michael Kennedy has lodged an application to revoke the Federal approval to destroy Matters of National Environmental Significance along the route.
Need reminding what we're on about?
go to www.fixfreewayfiasco.org
You can help by posting comments supportive of the Northern Route to the Major Road Projects website at https://roadprojects.vic.gov.au/newsfeed/changes-to-western-highway-duplication
Emails of support and offers of help can be sent to fixfreewayfiasco@gmail.com
We also have a GoFundMe site for donations.