Locals fear homes, businesses will be lost in North East Link plans

SCHOOLS, community groups and residents are urging the Andrews Government to reveal plans for the North East Link amid fears of widespread property acquisitions. The state government insists no existing roads will be tolled to fund the road.

SCHOOLS, community groups and residents are urging the Andrews Government to reveal its plans for the North East Link, amid fears of widespread property acquisitions.

A preferred route linking the M80 in Greensborough to the Eastern Freeway was ­secretly ticked off by a subcommittee this week.

The proposed 11km route, one of four considered by the government, runs along Bulleen Rd and includes up to 6.5km of tunnel under the Yarra River and Banyule Flats.

REBIRTHED EAST WEST LINK TAKES NEW TURN

Further details of the direct path remain unknown, with Roads Minister Luke Donnellan tight-lipped.

But the government did rule out tolling existing roads to pay for the mammoth $10-13 billion toll road project.

Government spokeswoman Georgia Brumby said: “We will not be tolling the Eastern Freeway. Any suggestion otherwise is completely false.”

Earlier, the Coalition accused Mr Donnellan of using “weasel words” after he said there was no “intention” to toll drivers on the eastern arterial to pay for the new road.

“They have no choice. They wouldn’t be able to pay for it otherwise,” Opposition Leader Mathew Guy said.

“They will toll the Eastern Freeway. They will do it after the election.”

Mr Guy reiterated that the proposed route would lead to more congestion, saying the axed East West Link must be built in tandem with it.

There will be plenty of political pain to go around: the route runs through the seat of Bulleen, which is held by Mr Guy, and the Labor-held seats of Bundoora, represented by Speaker Colin Brooks, and Ivanhoe, represented by Anthony Carbines.

Trinity Grammar School headmaster Michael Davies said the school’s playing fields would be directly affected.

A preferred route linking the M80 in Greensborough to the Eastern Freeway has been secretly ticked off. Picture: Josie Hayden

“We just do want (the government) to be cognisant that it not only impacts on our school but the community,” Mr Davies said.

“We’d like to know the ­specifics of what they want to put there.”

Nearby Marcellin College — which has 1400 students — said they would also experience disruption.

“We’re disappointed Option A has come up. It’s not going to be one supportive of our school,” said principal Mark Murphy.

Boroondara mayor Jim Parke said Labor had been “disingenuous”.

“Let me be very clear: the community is outraged by the adoption, but not at all surprised, as it was a predetermined outcome. It will have terrible impacts on the livability of our residents,” he said.

Victorian Transport Association chief executive Peter Anderson welcomed the project moving ahead.

Traders blast ‘nasty’ new link road

Andrew Murphy said Option A would be catastrophic for his business. Picture: David Caird

THE preferred route for the North East Link toll road has been described as “cheap and nasty” by local traders and residents in its path.

Bulleen’s landmark Veneto Club, which has been operating since 1967, fears it could be bulldozed or forced to relocate under the plan.

Club treasurer Dino De Bortoli said the whole community was “certainly” concerned.

Dino De Bortoli. Picture: David Caird

“The club sees at least 7000 people come through each week to use all the facilities,” he said.

“There are families and kids who come here for soccer, tennis and bocce who could all be forced to look for another club if this happens.”

Penguin Dry Cleaners on Bulleen Rd also feared it would be knocked down to make way.

Andrew Murphy is one of four brothers who own and operate the business, and said Option A — details of which are yet to be unveiled by the government — could be “catastrophic”.

“It will destroy the whole area and affect business,” he said.

“It will put people out of work and families out of homes.”

Mr Murphy’s grandfather opened the dry-cleaning business in 1947.

Concerned resident Stuart Glazebrook said the preferred route was “cheap and nasty”.

“There were four options on the table and they want this one only because it’s the cheapest,” he said.

— Cassie Zervos

@alexwhitelive

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