Locals angry after North East Link authority conducts drilling work in Banyule Flats

LOCALS fear the unexpected test drilling at the Banyule Flats is just the beginning of more damage to come for the native environment.

Residents protesting against the North East Link at the Banyule Flats.

LOCALS fear the unexpected test drilling at the Banyule Flats is just the beginning of more damage to come for the native environment.

The North East Link Authority has recently tested two drilling rigs at the wetlands without informing local environmental agencies.

Locals are worried that the drilling is a sign option A of the North East Link will be selected.

President of Friends of Banyule Dennis O’Connell said the selection of the corridor would have a devastating effect on the park and other nearby landmarks including Heide Gallery and Bolin Bolin Billabong.

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“We’re really concerned that everything seems to be pointing to option A, which would drive a freeway straight through Banyule Flats,” Mr O’Connell said.

The drilling which occurred over the weekend of October 7 has left environmentalists concerned for the state of the wetlands.

President of the Warringal Conservation Society Daphne Hards said the noise and vibrations from test drilling may have an impact on native wildlife.

“This habitat supports several threatened species such as the Powerful Own, Grey-headed Flying Fox and migratory waterbirds such as the Cattle Egret and Latham’s Snipe,” Ms Hards said.

The society is also disappointed they were not informed of the works, as they have questions as to whether effluent from the tests may cause contamination to the nearby waterways.

“We were not informed of the timing which is disappointing since Warringal Conversation Society has been having meetings with NELA for several months,” Ms Hards said.

The flats have been considered a habitat of state significance due to the ecological system which exists there.

Banyule Council has already said it is opposed to option A of the North East Link because it would be a “travesty to the environment” and create a lot of truck noise and pollution in the area.

Banyule Mayor Tom Melican said the North East Link Authority had been conducting test drilling along all proposed corridor options as it gathered information to compile the preferred route business case that it would provide to the State Government.

Cr Melican said the council would prefer test drilling to not occur within the environmentally sensitive and ecologically significant Warringal Parklands and Banyule Flats area.

North East Link Authority’s chief executive Duncan Elliott said they were carrying out geotechnical investigations at more than 50 locations across the north-east to understand ground water levels and geology.

Mr Elliott said they were keen to minimise the project’s impact on the environment, whichever route was chosen.

Testing is underway at two locations south of the Banyule Flats wetland near the Yarra River.

A team of specialists are undertaking technical, environmental and transport research across Melbourne’s north-east to help the authority assess the four corridor options.

The specialists are using geo-technical investigations to evaluate soil, rock and groundwater conditions, building on existing information from roads, parks and water authorities.

Drills are being used to make boreholes 25-60m deep and 15cm in diameter.

The authority said all sites would be fully restored once testing was complete.

Subject to conditions, drilling at one site will end on Wednesday and the other on Friday.

A map showing all the locations the authority is investigating is available at northeastlink.vic.gov.au/publications.