Planning Panels Victoria has released the schedule for the North East Link (NEL) project Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC) public hearings and Manningham Council will make an opening statement on Friday 26 July and detailed statements from 8 to 13 August 2019.

Manningham is the most impacted community by the NEL. Law firm, Harwood Andrews will represent the needs of the Manningham community and fight for fair and just outcomes as a result of this project.

Manningham Mayor, Cr Paula Piccinini said, “The NELP authority has promised there would be no net loss to Manningham’s land and they will make every effort to reduce the negative impacts of this project on our community.

“Our job at the public hearing is to outline all of the project impacts on our community and our expectations around mitigation. We want to see fair compensation for affected residents and business owners, no net loss of land, open space and recreational opportunities and minimal disruption to our local sporting communities.”

With over 850 submissions to the NEL Environment Effects Statement (EES), the response rate is one of the highest in Victorian infrastructure project history.

Cr Piccinini said, “The huge number of responses to the EES shows our community deeply cares about the impacts of the North East Link project and having their voice heard is important to them.”

During the public hearings a number of impacted groups and residents will have just 10 minutes to present their case to the panel.

“10 minutes isn’t a huge amount of time to tell the panel how this project could change your life, your home and your community. For this reason we take our role in advocating on behalf of the Manningham community very seriously. We’ve engaged the best in the business in terms of our legal representation and they will leave no stone unturned in representing Manningham’s specific needs,” Cr Piccinini said.

Where appropriate, Manningham Council will continue to work with other Councils on shared concerns such as impacted residents along the interfacing boundaries and areas that must be protected like the Bolin Bolin Billabong.

”For us it is a very considered decision to run our own separate legal counsel. The impact of this project on our community has varied, complicated and far reaching consequences. The priority is ensuring the needs of our residents are represented with an unwavering focus,” said Cr Piccinini.

To find out more about what Manningham Council is doing around the North East Link project visit: manningham.vic.gov.au/NEL.