Council walks away from North East Link court battle after cutting deal with state government
A Supreme Court bid to put the brakes on the $15.8 billion North East Link project has been dealt a blow after one council involved in the legal battle walked away. Here’s the latest.
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A Supreme Court bid to put the brakes on the $15.8 billion North East Link project has been dealt a blow after one council involved in the legal battle walked away.
Manningham Council, which was one of four local governments objecting to the mega-toll road’s planning approval process, gave up the fight after cutting a deal with the Andrews Government for more open space, environmental safeguards, and sporting club support.
It is understood the sweeteners would be worth millions of dollars, and that some of the other councils — which include Boroondara, Whitehorse and Banyule — are considering inking similar deals.
As well as new funding, Manningham has been promised a seat at the table for refining the project’s design, which has been a key part of the court stoush.
Councils argued the design used to approve the project, which is set to be the biggest and most expensive in Victorian history, isn’t final so doesn’t show all the environmental impacts.
Manningham residents will cough up $150,000 in legal fees for the council’s involvement in the Supreme Court battle, but Mayor Paul McLeish said it was “a necessary investment to improve outcomes for the community, particularly the enhanced commitment to be consulted on the final design”.
Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said “we look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with Manningham City Council as we deliver North East Link”.
“North East Link is long overdue – it will create 10,000 jobs, give local roads back to local people and slash travel times.”
Mr McLeish said the case was still open and it was up to other councils to decide the best course of action for their constituents.
Boroondara, Whitehorse and Banyule declined to comment, saying the matter is before court.
The litigation process, including a three-day trial in September, would cost millions of dollars, but mediation with all parties continues in a bid to find compromises outside the courtroom.
Works to build the North East Link, which will connect the Eastern Freeway in Bulleen to the M80 in Greensborough, have begun but major construction will not proceed until next year.
Up to 36 homes and 100 businesses will be acquired and demolished to make way for the tollway, while the project authority is promising to plant 30,000 trees to make up for the 16,000 set to be removed.
Two consortia of building giants are currently vying for the contract to build the road, which the government says will slash travel times by up to 35 minutes.
North East Link chief executive Duncan Elliott said the authority was “pleased to have reached an agreement with Manningham Council”.
“We will continue to work with councils and the broader community as we deliver the biggest road project in Victoria’s history,” he said.
Mr Elliott said the project would “slash travel times for hundreds of thousands of Victorians every day and take thousands of trucks off local roads”.
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