North East Link: Bulleen business community faces uncertain future
Hundreds of employees in Bulleen are facing a bleak future, with retirement plans thrown into jeopardy and blue-collar workers worried it will be “damn near impossible” to find new jobs when their businesses are acquired for the North East Link.
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Community, not money, is driving Bulleen business owners’ response to the likely acquisition of their properties to make way for the North East Link.
The project authority released its Environmental Effects Statement last week, confirming about 100 businesses in the Bulleen Industrial Precinct would have to be bought to make way for part of the $16 billion road.
Banyule would also be affected, with about 30 homes needed to go to connect the M80 Ring Road in Greensborough to the Eastern Freeway in Bulleen.
MORE NORTH EAST LINK NEWS:
PETITION FOR INTERCHANGE REDESIGN
The affected property owners have until June 7 to make a submission to the State Government.
The precinct, in Greenaway St and Kim Close, off the intersection of Manningham and Bulleen roads, looms as one of the most heavily impacted communities.
It’s home to 130 businesses employing about 1000 people and is the site of the proposed Manningham Rd interchange.
Owners would have two years from confirmation of acquisition — likely later this year — to find a new site and would receive compensation from the State Government.
But their greater concern is for staff and customers.
Swan Plastics owner David Monk said businesses were valuable parts of the community.
“People get their cars serviced, their clothes dry-cleaned and they buy their food here,’’ he said.
“There’s a range of services that won’t be available anymore.”
Mr Monk said research carried out by the business community also painted a bleak picture for staff.
“Most of the likely job losses would be among blue-collar men aged 45 and over,’’ he said.
“They’re going to find it damn near impossible to get employment elsewhere.”
Kim Close wholesaler Japan Foods employs 35 staff. Owner Wakako Takasaka said the uncertainty was putting a strain on staff.
“Moving isn’t really feasible if it’s going to take us too far from our distribution network,” she said.
Heidelberg Hire owner Warren Elms said he was considering selling his Kim Close business to a hire company franchise.
“Research shows that 45 per cent of businesses that move fail in the first five years and 50 per cent of our business is passing trade. Is it worth it?”
But for John Donehue Auto Repairs owner John Donehue looming acquisition was impacting on retirement plans.
Mr Donehue bought the freehold on his Greenaway St business six years ago, allowing him to stop renting and in turn top up his superannuation.
“Between dad and I, we’ve been in business in Manningham for 50 years.
“We’d been renting for 44. My retirement plans are now in jeopardy, too.”
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