BUREAUCRATS have repeatedly shown that they do not understand the needs and entitlements of people in the developing fringe areas.
But I am at a loss to understand why they continually refuse to build noise attenuation barriers along the Monash Freeway at Beaconsfield.
Residents are at their wits end and are now seeking ways that will force some positive action.
Politicians have lied about the prospects of getting the barriers and VicRoads officials will not provide reasons for leaving these people unprotected.
The soon to be former Narre Warren South MP Dale Wilson in a series of extraordinary statements before and after he was elected to parliament four years ago promised the barriers would be built.
He assured residents at one meeting at which I was present that the minister for roads had given his blessing to the barriers being constructed.
It sounded like Mr Wilson had the ear of the minister, but it seems now that the noise didn’t get through.
However, noise from the freeway is getting to residents at such a level that it could be actionable by the department of Occupational Health and Safety.
Beaconsfield in Casey Residents Action Group spokesman Ray Fleming said talking time was over and that residents may now take out a class action against VicRoads for not building the barriers.
I doubt that VicRoads or the government will care much, but it could be a first step before more ‘active action’ is taken.
Labor candidate for Narre Warren South Judith Graley said on Monday that she had nothing to report on the status of the noise barriers, but would check with head office.
If she checked she hasn’t passed on the result of her inquiries.
Liberal candidate Michael Shepherdson said he had discussed the matter with the Liberal spokesman on roads, Terry Mulder, but was unable to give any assurances of what would happen. He said he was unable to make a commitment.
So why aren’t these two political candidates publicly calling out for their respective political parties to make a commitment or to say why nothing is being done.
Why aren’t they calling out in the interests of the people they seek to represent?
Let them now present a legal argument for why these walls were not built when they should have been.