North East Link has strong support, NELA claims

A PROTEST group has challenged the road authority’s claim the Bulleen project is “overwhelmingly” supported in the community.

WHILE people are worried about noise and traffic — and want emphasis on walking and cycling connections — they “overwhelmingly” want the North East Link to be built, the project authority claims.

The authority has released feedback from its latest round of community consultations with about 2500 people from suburbs including Bulleen and Greensborough surveyed.

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The authority says extra walking and cycling paths — initially promised as part of the $16 billion project — are still important to people, particularly as connections to shops and transport hubs.

Balwyn homeowners Lorrae Willox, Mary Harnan and Lynne Baker say many residents along the proposed North East Link route are unhappy about the project. (Picture: Andy Brownbill)

Concern has also been expressed about “rat running”, with requests for upgrades to existing infrastructure, such as the Diamond Creek roundabout, common. An overhaul of the Eastern Freeway received positive feedback but residents sought reassurance that barriers will be improved to combat noise pollution.

Authority acting CEO Sebastian Motta said: “People made it clear they want us to get on with the project because it will take trucks off local roads and ease congestion,” he said.

But Residents United Against North East Link option A spokeswoman Lorrae Willox said she doubted the “overwhelming numbers of people living along the route of Option A think the project is a good idea”.

“We can’t possibly be satisfied with the answers we get from the authority because they never include any detail,” she said.

“We’re concerned about the future health of walkers, cyclists and nearby homeowners. We want real answers about noise and air pollution, traffic congestion and loss of homes, businesses and community spaces, but we are not getting them.”

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