Anger as North East Link given go ahead despite concerns of independent assessment
A decision by the State Government to sign off on the $15.8 billion North East Link project, despite extensive environmental concerns raised in an independent assessment, has Banyule residents hopping mad.
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Community groups say a decision to ignore an extensive environmental report and green light the North East Link is “devastating”.
The $15.8 billion project was ticked off by state Planning Minister Richard Wynne on December 3, despite a 500-page report from the Independent Advisory Council that outlined the significant environmental effects it would have on the area.
About 26,000 trees and 18 hectares of open space will be destroyed to make way for tolled road, linking Greensborough’s Metropilitan Ring Rd and the Eastern Freeway in Bulleen.
Banyule community groups are united in their opposition to the 26km motorway.
Friends of Banyule community group member Michelle Giovas said there was deep concern about the lack of information on the project.
“At the very least it should be a long bored tunnel all the way through Banyule, instead of the disaster trench, cut and cover tunnelling.”
The Independent Advisory Council recommended the Simpson Army Barracks be declared a ‘no go zone’, the tunnel boring machine tunnel be extended near Grimshaw St, and Yallambie’s Borlase Reserve should not be used as the tunnel launch site.
All these recommendations were disregarded.
“No one can live with that kind of building going on,” Ms Giovas said.
“After nine weeks of hearings, it’s disappointing the Minister didn’t listen.”
Katie and Dan George live on the edge of Borlase Reserve with their three children and originally bought the property due to its proximity to the park.
The proposed NEL plan will use Borlase Reserve as a launch site for the tunnel boring machine, despite the IAC advising against it due to high levels of noise, dust and spoil haulage.
“They have said we might be temporarily relocated, but there's no plan on where they’re going to be putting any of us,” Ms George said.
Warringal Conservation Society president Daphne Hards said the society was dismayed at the outcome.
“Why bother investing in a comprehensive assessment when the Minister ignores crucial recommendations?” Ms Hards said.
“It makes me very angry to see such a waste of public money and the risks that are being taken with our threatened species.”
North East Link Planning said the Environment Effects Statement process was included in the overall link budget of $15.8 billion.
Banyule Mayor Alison Champion said council was greatly disapointed many of the recomendations had not been accepted.
“The Minister should reconsider the recommendation from the independent panel that clearly recognised the significant benefit of a longer tunnel in reducing many of the major environmental impacts of the project,” Ms Champion said.
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Ms Giovas said despite construction being set to start mid-2020, they still had hope the road could be redesigned.
“It’s unacceptable, we want to continue dialogue with the North East Link Project and meet with Minister Wynne,” Ms Giovas said.
courtney.beaumont@news.com.au