Southern Way today (17 September, 2010) announced it has received final heritage approval for works to get underway on Peninsula Link at the former Westerfield property in Frankston South.

Southern Way General Manager David Clements said Southern Way had revised its design around the edges of the Westerfield dam to meet the requirements of the revised permit and further minimise heritage impacts.

“The heritage process has been undertaken in a thorough manner and we hope this will provide comfort to the local community that Peninsula Link construction in this area will be undertaken in a sensitive and responsible manner.”

Mr Clements said that a great deal of effort had been directed into reducing environmental and heritage impacts on the former Westerfield land.

“During the planning process, nearly one hectare of land was preserved from the original proposal and we are now going one step further by altering our drainage design on the western edge to further protect the existing dam,” he said.

“We are meeting all of the conditions of the heritage permit, including removal and replacement of the depth gauge for the dam and protection of the remnant jetty.”

Mr Clements said Southern Way and its contractor Abigroup would proceed with extreme care when working in the former Westerfield land.

“We take our environmental responsibilities seriously and have already undertaken extensive flora surveys as well as plant relocations and seed collections in the area.

“Abigroup will conduct animal surveys before works commence and will have qualified wildlife carers on hand to relocate animals to suitable habitats.

“We are working to complete our environmental responsibilities at Westerfield before work commences on the ground in the coming weeks, subject to weather conditions.”

Mr Clements said that Southern Way would continue to work closely with the local community and environment groups to ensure the project is delivered in the best possible manner.

“We appreciate the input we have received from local community members, particularly those who joined us in relocating plants in this area of former Westerfield land.”

The area of the Westerfield land required for Peninsula Link has been in Government ownership since December last year and licensed to Southern Way since 1 June 2010 for Peninsula Link construction. The Heritage Victoria permit for works on the 2.65 hectares of Westerfield land needed for the project does not affect the heritage listing for the nearly 10 hectares remaining in private ownership.

Construction started earlier this year on the $759 million Peninsula Link project which is a 27 kilometre freeway extending from EastLink in Carrum Downs to the Mornington Peninsula Freeway in Mt Martha.