North East Link: Manningham, Whitehorse, Boroondara and Banyule present case

Four local councils have joined forces to call for changes to the North East Link project, including a “skinnier” design for the Eastern Freeway and compensation for affected workers.

Bulleen traders are fighting forced relocation for the North East Link.

Compensation for more than 1200 workers who face losing their jobs is at the top of a wish list from eastern councils affected by the North East Link.

Manningham, Whitehorse, Boroondara and Banyule councils joined forces on Friday to warn of a range of negative impacts communities face as a result of the project.

The councils presented a joint submission to the project’s Environmental Effects Statement at the independent panel hearings in Bulleen.

They combined their submission because they share a number of mutual concerns regarding the $15 billion road project.

Balwyn North woman Helen Tsoutsouvas says Boroondara Council has dropped the ball on community consultation for the North East Link. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Manningham Council highlighted the need to adequately compensate affected businesses and workers as well as protecting Bulleen Park and the groups which use it.

Mayor Paula Piccinini said the council believed more than 1200 Bulleen workers would lose their jobs because of forced relocation.

“Manningham Council has strongly advocated for impacted workers to be guaranteed fair compensation and offered tailored transition plans to find re-employment. Ensuring these people are taken care of is fundamental,” she said.

Resolve Rosanna Road’s John Francis wants trucks banned from Rosanna Rd so freight will instead use the North East Link.

Whitehorse Council called on a reduction on the possible lane expansion of the Eastern Freeway to protect people living near the freeway reserve.

Mayor Bill Bennett said the communities living along the project corridor don’t deserve to be worse off because of North East Link.

“Whitehorse Council is looking for a skinnier design of the Eastern Freeway that reduces the impact on our residents as well as users of our valued and highly used parkland,” he said.

Boroondara Council is pushing to minimise the impact on the Koonung Creek Reserve.

Mayor Jane Addis said the all councils wanted to see a “less land hungry design” for the project.

“We call on the independent panel to take the time to properly consider alternatives to the reference design which lessen the impact of the road project on the surrounding environment, facilities and communities,” she said.

Bulleen business owner David Monk says up to 1200 jobs could be lost. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Banyule Council wants changes to be made to protect natural environment, preserve neighbourhoods and avoid dividing communities.

Acting Mayor Alison Champion said they believed the councils had presented a “convincing case”.

“The project in its proposed form fails our community. It is essential that the EES process thoroughly addresses the concerns of the councils and local communities who will be drastically affected,” she said.

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The submissions hearings have now closed. It is expected the independent panel will present their recommendations in a report to the State Government in 30 days.

A decision on the recommendations is expected by late December.

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