Statement from the Mayor: Call to end delay on O'Herns Road project

Whittlesea Mayor Lawrie Cox has urged the Federal Government to end long-running delays that are holding up the O’Herns Road development.

Cr Cox said the project was an important road connection for Epping but was on hold due to an environmental assessment lying dormant with the Federal Government.

“We have been waiting 18 months and this is ridiculous. Not having the road connecting is adding delays to our residents’ already long commute,” he said.

The State Government’s O’Herns Road Stage 1 upgrade is complete, but an environmental assessment for Stage 2 is waiting on Federal Government approval. It is clear the current Federal Minister has no interest in sorting this out.

President of the Edgars Creek Secondary College, Melanie Taimani said the extension of Edgars Road to O’Herns Road would take 30 minutes off peak hour trips for most Epping North residents.

The busy mum of six said families were time poor and struggling with the stresses of having to work, coordinate school drop offs and ferrying children to afternoon activities.

“Less time spent in traffic is more time spent with our precious families. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait another 18 months to get back this quality time, she said.”

Stage 2 includes the duplication of O’Herns Road between the Hume Freeway and Redding Rise, three new intersections with traffic lights, a new interchange at the Hume freeway and extra lanes between O’Herns Road and Cooper Street.  

This will see the connection of local roads with improved travel time and opportunities for the further construction of Edgars Road.

Developer MAB is responsible for extending Edgars Road from Willandra Drive to O’Herns Road.

Development Victoria is responsible for connecting Edgars Road between Rockfield Street and O’Herns Road.

The approval of the environmental assessment for O’Herns Road will also allow for the connection and extension of Edgars Road to be built.

“This weekend’s election will hopefully see a new Minister in place which we hope will solve this delay ASAP,” Cr Cox said.

“The people of Epping deserve better than being delayed by Federal Government red tape.”