DONNYBROOK residents have scored a major long-term victory, with an announcement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealing that there would be a $125 million investment to transform Donnybrook Road and Mitchell Street.
The announcement was made by Mr Albanese last Monday afternoon at the Donnybrook Post Office, flanked by member for McEwen Rob Mitchell, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King and Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams.
The announcement brings a raft of improvements which is set to improve access to and from the Hume Freeway, aimed at reducing traffic congestion further after previous works in 2023, which has reduced congestion in the area and reducing the queuing of traffic on Donnybrook Road and Dwyer Street.
The project will be characterised by additional lanes and a fully-signalised intersection, which will also involve constructure of a new bridge over Kalkallo Creek.
Barriers will also be installed in order to keep motorists and pedestrians safe.
The investment forms part of the $1.2 billion road blitz jointly-organised by the Australian and Victorian Labor governments, of which $1 billion is set aside by the Australian government and $200 million contributed by the Victorian government.
The announcement is a further boost for residents in and around the Mitchell Shire and City of Whittlesea, following recent announcements that $45 million would be committed towards construction of Old Sydney Road in Beveridge, $90 million committed to the Watson Street and Diamond interchange and $900 million invested into the Camerons Lane interchange.
It will also provide a potential connection to the $7.05 million investment made by the Australian government – recently countered by a joint announcement of a $2 million business case by the Coalition alongside the Mitchell Shire Council – to investigate the nearby train line, which could be electrified towards Wallan, with the potential for new stations in Cloverton and Beveridge as part of service uplifts on the Upfield and Craigieburn lines.
“As part of our $1.2 billion-dollar suburban blitz, we are making these commitments to make a difference so that productivity can increase, people can spend more time at home with their family and kids rather than stuck in traffic,” Mr Albanese said.
“This $125 million upgrade to the Donnybrook Road and Mitchell Street intersection is a part of making sure we keep up with this growing community.
“It comes on top of the investment that we’re already making here and the investment we’re making in Victoria to make sure they get their fair share of funding.
“The project will transform the roundabout, delivering additional lanes, a fully signalised intersection and a new bridge over the creek.
“This is an important project, which will deliver jobs in the short-term, but importantly, delivers an improved quality of life.”
Ms King said it was an opportunity to continue matching the growth of the outer northern suburbs of Melbourne.
“This will be transformative project for Melbourne’s north, better connecting these growing suburbs with the city and the region,” she said.
“We are committed to delivering critical projects across Victoria that will help keep people moving, which is why we’re investing in Kalkallo.”
Ms Williams echoed these remarks.
“As Melbourne’s population continues to grow, we are investing in critical projects that will create better journeys for motorists – just like this upgrade,” she said.
Mr Mitchell believes these benefits will be able to ensure the growing towns in the community will have better access for all residents.
“Our community deserves the infrastructure that will provide safer and faster travel and the Federal Government is investing in projects that build our future,” he said.
