I refer to the disinformation reported in The Age yesterday relating to a report commissioned by the Maribyrnong Truck Action Group, which has not been provided to the Government for review.
Here are some facts which were ignored in yesterday's article:
- The independent Environmental Effect Statement and independent assessments found that the West Gate Tunnel will improve air quality in Melbourne's inner west.
- Advice from the Department of Health assessed the potential impacts on health from tunnel emissions to be below health-based guidelines and a low risk to human health.
- No tunnels in Australia include filtration systems. Expert assessments have found that filtration is not required for the West Gate Tunnel ventilation system.
- Powerful engines will force exhaust high into the air above the ventilation stacks, dispersing safely.
- The West Gate Tunnel Project underwent a thorough and transparent planning and environmental approval process with extensive community engagement.
- Once operational, daily reporting of ambient air quality monitoring programs results will be made publicly available in a monthly report.
- To assist with future air quality reviews once the tunnel is open, monitoring and assessments of air quality will continue.
No other government has invested more to improve air quality across Melbourne's west.
In 2018, we established the Inner West Air Quality Community Reference Group, assembling representatives from the community and local councils to investigate and better understand local air pollution issues, concerns, and sources in the Brimbank, Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong local government areas.
Following recommendations made by the group, we've invested $5 million for councils to seal local roads in Brimbank, Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong, reducing dust pollution and improving air quality. A further $3 million for more road sealing was announced in August 2025, to continue this important initiative.
Across Melbourne's western suburbs, we have already planted 450,000 trees to create cooler neighbourhoods for residents - with another 50,000 set to planted in the coming months.
Victoria's Bus Plan trial includes two hydrogen and 50 electric buses on 15 school services and 26 routes in Melbourne's inner west, including Footscray, Sunshine, Yarraville, Newport, and Williamstown.
Through the Victorian Freight Plan - Victoria Delivers, we're investing $8 million to assist small- and medium-sized truck operators to assess and track their carbon emissions and to transition to low-emission equipment.
As an action in the Freight Plan, we're also working to introduce new low emissions/low impact delivery zones in partnership with industry and local councils.
And together with the Commonwealth, we've invested in the rail infrastructure for the Port Rail Shuttle network to shift more freight by rail.
But there's more to be done to more efficiently move freight while protecting community amenity.
That's why we are also rezoning land in Brooklyn and Tottenham to move container parks to better-connected industrial land and have leased the Old Melbourne Market site on Footscray Road for container storage and truck marshalling.
When it opens later this year, the West Gate Tunnel project will take 9,000 trucks a day off local roads and will introduce 24-hour no-truck zones on Blackshaws Road, Hudsons Road, Francis Street, Somerville Road, Buckley Street and Moore Street, vastly improving the liveability and air quality across Melbourne's west.
