We are liaising with the North East Link Project (NELP) Authority and the State Government on all aspects of the project, including sports and recreation improvements, tree revegetation plans and traffic management outcomes amongst many other opportunities and impacts.
We will continue to represent our community’s interests during the detailed design process.
Since 2017, we've been fighting hard to protect our community and environment.
In addition to meeting with NELP on a regular basis, Officers have participated in the Community Liaison Group and Bulleen Industrial Zone Liaison Group. Regular meetings and correspondence has been held with local, state and federal Members of Parliament.
Council held a community information session to discuss the proposed four route options of the NEL.
Council officers reviewed the preparation of the initial draft EES by participating in the Technical Reference Group. They actively met with community members, businesses and sporting groups to understand the community views and impacts of the project.
The NELP authority released the EES documents for public exhibition. Council officers reviewed over 14,000 pages in order to prepare a concise submission on behalf of residents, businesses and the community.
Council endorsed the North East Link Issues and Opportunities report. The report provides 19 recommendations to ensure the project minimises the impact and delivers a benefit to the community. This report was submitted to NELP to consider as part of the projects planning and design phase.
A community information session provided an overview of the NEL impacts and Council’s draft EES submission. Residents were assisted in preparing their own EES response.
Council made a Public Environment Report (PER) submission to the Federal Environment Minister in relation to threatened species identified in NEL project area.
Council endorsed the Yarra River Corridor Concept Plan. The plan presents a vision for the open space and recreational facilities along the NEL Corridor. This plan was presented to NELP and various State Government Departments.
Council made a submission to the NEL (EES) on behalf of the community.
Detailed legal submissions were presented at the Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC) Panel Hearings. The issues highlighted in Council’s Environment Effects Statement (EES) submission were expanded on at the hearing.
A joint closing submission was presented by Manningham, Banyule, Boroondara and Whitehorse Councils to the North East Link project’s IAC panel.
A feasibility study was announced to investigate if land at 2 – 14 Websters Rd, Templestowe could be used as a future employment precinct for Bulleen Industrial Precinct businesses.
Council unanimously agreed to seek a judicial review into the Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC) hearing process and the Minister’s assessment of the North East Link (NEL) Environment Effects Statement (EES). We believed the reference design did not provide enough certainty about the impacts it had on our community.
Council held a Community Information Session to provide an update on the next steps and how Council is working to achieve the best outcomes. The session was live streamed and can be viewed online.
Council reached an agreement with the Victorian Government and withdrew from the NEL judicial review process. Following constructive and rigorous negotiations, we felt our concerns around the NEL reference design have been substantially addressed.
