Article in the Moonee Valley leader

KENSINGTON residents have welcomed Melbourne Council's decision not to support the east-west road tunnel proposed in the Eddington report.

Kensington Association chairman Richard Reilly said Melbourne Council's decision on Tuesday night was a "tremendous result for Melbourne residents".

"The council has listened to the residents and demonstrated real leadership," Mr Reilly said.

The decision comes after a series of community group rallies in Kensington and Flemington. Ther latest protest on June 21 was organised by the Kensington Association against the imapct a tunnel would have on the J.J. Holland Park and surrounding area.

Mr Reilly said about 600 people attended the rally concerned that the park "would be lost to the people of Kensington and the local community".

Mr Reilly said the association would make a submission to the Eddington report.

Acting Lord Mayor Gary Singer said Melbourne Council acknowledged there was a significant problem with traffic using local streets to access other parts of the city.

"The council does not believe that the construction of a road tunnel to act as a city bypass, as proposed in the Eddington report, is an appropriate solution," Cr Singer said.

"We will continue to liaise with the State Government over the coming months to discuss the impact of the recommendations on the municipality."

Debney Ward councillor Rose Iser said Flemington and Travancore residents should follow the Kensington Association's lead and voice their concerns about the proposed tunnel.

"The proposed tunnel will have a substantial impact on the area as it connects with CityLink," Cr Iser said.

"The State Government is contemplating spending billions of dollars on one road in the hope of easing congestion while keeping people in their cars, yet we are facing a public transport crisis that needs urgent funding," she said.

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