In 2017, the West Gate Tunnel Environment Effects Statement (EES) and the City of Melbourne’s own analysis identified that key east–west streets at the northern edge of the CBD — including Arden, Queensberry, Hawke and Victoria Streets — would operate at or near capacity for up to 12–14 hours per day once project traffic was added.
These findings meant that North and West Melbourne were not marginally affected areas, but core impact zones.
Despite this:
- residents were not provided with clear, localised explanations of likely impacts;
- updated traffic modelling was not released publicly;
- and changes to local roads and turning movements were introduced without transparent, precinct-level context.
This site exists to address that gap.
What you’ll find here
- A clear record of what official modelling showed about impacts on North and West Melbourne
- A timeline of decisions and commitments, including requirements for further investigation and mitigation
- Analysis of post-2017 changes, including the Transport Amenity Program (TAP) and altered turning movements
- Precinct-level travel-time and access impacts, with methods explained and assumptions stated
- Why certain areas — particularly the Queensberry Precinct — are especially vulnerable to redistributed traffic
All analysis is based on public documentation, observed network changes, and transparent reasoning. Where data has not been released, this is stated explicitly.
What this site is — and is not
This is not an official project website, and it does not represent government agencies or contractors.
It is:
- an independent, resident-focused resource;
- a repository of publicly available evidence;
- and a practical explanation of how a major transport project affects everyday movement and amenity.
The aim is not to argue for or against the West Gate Tunnel, but to make its local impacts understandable — particularly where information has not been provided in an accessible form.
Who this is for
This site is intended for:
- residents of North and West Melbourne;
- journalists and researchers seeking primary sources;
- planners, councillors and policymakers reviewing outcomes;
- and anyone trying to understand how large transport projects affect established inner-city neighbourhoods.