It is great to see the awarding of this contract for constructing two new additional lanes along Forsyth Road with a new signalised intersection at Waterways Boulevard and pedestrian operated signals at the Federation Trail crossing. Forsyth Road is one of the major roads in the eastern part of this municipality. It plays a critical role in connecting Point Cook, Williams Landing, Truganina and Hoppers Crossing.

I have been advocating and discussing works needed at Forsyth Road a long time ago before I was elected to the council.

When the State Government announced the Western Roads Upgrade project, I was particularly concerned about the missing parts of the works required to fix what was a very congested road.

It is pleasing to see all of the pieces come together as this road represents the contributions of Council, the developer as well as the State Government.

I also note the State Government is also contributing the pedestrian operated signals at the Federation Trail crossing.

Tonight’s decision will have a practical benefit for thousands of local residents and visitors who use Forsyth Road every day, Mr Mayor.

The project will soon help ease some congestion problems in this area, particularly for residents dropping their kids to and picking them up from Truganina South Primary School and Westbourne Grammar School.

It will also improve the trips of residents in Truganina using the Williams Landing Train Station.

This decision tonight also highlights one of the Council’s strongest advocacy campaigns and challenges.

It highlights the frustration that many of our local communities in new parts of Wyndham have about the timely completion of major roads in and around new housing areas.

There must be better ways to ensure the faster delivery of projects.

This is why I support our advocacy to talk with the State Government about finding solutions.

Infrastructure bottlenecks are not being fixed through developer contributions, and the staging or timing of development present practical problems.

Yet it is our local residents and visitors who are left with the burdens of these problems.

There will be other times to talk about these advocacy campaigns and challenges Mr Mayor.

But for now, it’s worth celebrating if this contract is awarded tonight.