Tania Ficates talks to Denis Walter - Mon 30 March, 2026

In this episode of Nights with Denis Walter, host Denis Walter speaks with Tanya Ficardis, a resident of Kew, Victoria, about the controversial upgrades to the Eastern Freeway as part of the North East Link project. Tanya expresses deep concern over the destruction of mature trees—some up to 30 years old—without adequate community consultation or transparency. She highlights that instead of installing new, effective sound walls as originally promised, authorities are patching outdated 1990s barriers, which she argues will fail to provide proper noise reduction and will cost more in long-term maintenance. The community’s objections, including a petition with 110 signatures and advocacy from local politicians like Jess Wilson and Monique Ryan, have been met with silence. Tanya also critiques the government’s use of an average decibel standard (63 dB) that falls 10 dB above World Health Organization health guidelines (53 dB), particularly noting that noise measurements are taken across day and night, allowing for lower nighttime readings to mask excessive daytime noise. With the final design approval pending in June, residents are urging a delay to ensure lasting, effective infrastructure. The episode underscores a broader frustration with government opacity, lack of accountability, and the erasure of community voice in major infrastructure decisions. The conversation reveals a growing tension between urban development and environmental stewardship, particularly in established suburbs like Kew. Tanya’s passionate advocacy reflects a grassroots movement fighting for sustainable, long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes. Denis Walter amplifies these concerns, calling on listeners to engage and hold authorities accountable. The episode ends with a call to action, urging residents across Victoria to share their own concerns via 133693, emphasizing that community input is vital in shaping the future of public infrastructure.