Council has reviewed the Planning Minister’s response to the North East Link Environment Effects Statement to determine the full impacts on Manningham.
Manningham Mayor, Cr Paul McLeish said many of Council’s advocacy requests and legal arguments appear to have been supported and addressed in part, but some remained unclear.
“We are pleased the Planning Minister requested an additional Environmental Performance Requirement (EPR) with an employment assistance strategy for employees and businesses in the Bulleen Industrial Precinct. This is an important step in supporting impacted people in preparing for the future changes.
“The significance of the historic Bulleen River Red Gum to our local community has been acknowledged with the Planning Minister including a draft EPR and suggesting every effort be made to retain the tree.
“However a greater level of clarity is required from the North East Link Project Authority (NELP) and the Department of Transport as to what will and won’t be included in the project, and we need certainty that community projects will be delivered.
“We want to know the full impacts to our community and will continue to seek these details so we can determine our next steps. We will continue to advocate for the best outcome for our community,” Cr McLeish said.
An overview of Council’s advocacy requests and the Planning Minister’s response is provided in the following table. It is understood some of the below matters will be confirmed once the project proceeds to the detailed design phase. This is expected to occur throughout 2020 and 2021, once the shortlisted tenderers are confirmed.
| What Council advocated for: | The Planning Minister: |
| Support for the Bulleen Industrial Precinct businesses & employees |
wants additional draft EPRs to provide employees assistance strategy. Supported study to investigate Websters Road as future industrial land |
| Protection of the historic River Red Gum in Bulleen | said every effort should be made to retain the River Red Gum |
| A redesign of the proposed Manningham Road interchange | has no objection to Council’s expert witness redesigns being passed to construction tenderers |
| Community parkland at Bulleen Park to be preserved & protected | said parties need to collaborate & make compromises on Bulleen Park |
| A leaner Eastern Freeway widening design contained within the existing Freeway reservation | said road widening should to be reviewed at critical locations |
| Visually appealing noise walls & protection from construction impacts | supported night time noise limit & raised concerns noise guidelines not updated by Dept Transport. May request EPA to review |
| Minimal loss of open space at Bulleen Park & impacted sporting clubs re-accommodated | recommended open space relocation & replacement plan. Supported unlocking Public Acquisition Overlay & land along the Yarra River Corridor for alternative parkland options |
| Support for the Doncaster Busway, with priority bus services & provision for a rail link | said improvements to public transport are worthwhile & warranted but not required as part of this project |
| Minimal loss of trees & vegetation along the entire alignment | said planting should be started early rather than later. Will be managed by DELWP offsets |
| Avoiding any further undergrounding of the Koonung Creek | considers changes to the Koonung Creek channels are minimal and acceptable |
| Complementary projects pedestrian/cycling bridge across the Yarra River funded and delivered | said NELP complementary active transport options are satisfactory |
