Major disaster for Majors Road and Glenthorne National Park

A new campaign against an on/off ramp at Majors Road has been launched today to rally against a project which would cut through the heart of Glenthorne National Park – felling hundreds of trees – all for next to no community or economic benefit.

The $120 million Southern Expressway on/off ramp at Majors Road was announced by the Labor Party in the lead up to the March State Election despite a leaked feasibility study from 2020 showing the project “could not be justified”.

The study shows the project would provide minimal traffic flow benefit until the completion of the North South Corridor and could actually increase traffic on nearby roads such as Brighton Road and Adams Road.

Leader of the Opposition David Speirs joined Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Vincent Tarzia and a group of concerned community members today to launch a campaign against the project.

“This project will rip a highway through the heart of Glenthorne National Park, felling hundreds of trees, destroying animal habitat and precious green, open space and marooning the brand-new Sam Willoughby International BMX Facility,” Mr Speirs said.

“Inexplicably the Malinauskas Labor Government wants to push ahead with this needless destruction despite a leaked feasibility study showing the project doesn’t stack up.

“The report showed the project cost in 2020 couldn’t be justified let alone at 2022 prices and could actually increase traffic on nearby roads. As the local MP I actually went to the 2018 election supporting this project but once the feasibility study was completed it was clear that it wasn’t the right thing to do.

“In chasing a quick headline in the lead up to the State Election, Peter Malinauskas and Tom Koutsantonis have arrogantly ignored the expert advice and want to push on with a project which will put a wrecking ball through a metropolitan national park which is home to koalas, echidnas, kangaroos and species of rare woodland birds.