Gaps highlighted in North East Link plans
Traffic, job losses, noise, poor amenity and environment impacts are among the many issues raised by stakeholders in submissions to the main approval process for the North East Link Toll road.
Upper House MP Rod Barton, whose Eastern Metro electorate is hardest hit by the $16 billion project, says his office has received many calls, emails and messages identifying local community issues with the project.
MEMBERS: North East Link EES submissions
Recently I have engaged closely with the community in my electorate to ensure that they are aware and they have assistance in preparing their submissions for the environment effects statement (EES). In the past fortnight my office has received a huge number of calls, emails and messages from residents, sporting clubs and local councils.
Upgrades to Templestowe Road and Bulleen Rod in NEL
Mr BARTON (Eastern Metropolitan) (12:50): My constituency question is addressed to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, in the other place. I seek assurances for residents and businesses on Templestowe Road and Bulleen Road, south of the freeway, that these will receive upgrades needed to cope with the increase in traffic. These are two key on-ramp roads that are currently deemed out of scope for the North East Link Project. Templestowe Road is a rural road. It has no kerbs, drainage channels, footpaths, formal bus stops, shelters or safe pedestrian crossing points.
The road currently has 13 000 vehicles per day, and to date the North East Link Authority has provided limited modelling projections, yet this road will be a major feeder into the Bulleen Road–Manningham Road intersection. On Bulleen Road 1600 vehicles use the two-lane residential stretch between the freeway and Doncaster Road on a daily basis. It is expected to increase to nearly 5000 vehicles each day, and small businesses and residents along this road are understandably concerned. So I ask the minister: what assurances can she give residents and businesses that these roads will receive the required upgrades to accommodate the increased traffic?
Include Rapid Transit Busway in early works
A high speed rapid transit busway proposed in the North East Link preliminary designs must be included in early works according to Transport Matters Party leader and member for Eastern Metropolitan Rod Barton.
Smart planning could save 300-year-old redgum
A fierce debate over the removal of a 300-year-old redgum to make way for a tollway on-ramp has highlighted the need for smarter infrastructure planning. State Member for Eastern Metro Rod Barton, whose electorate traverses the site of the proposed toll road, says the rush to deliver the $15.8 billion North East Link is not taking advantage of the benefits of smart infrastructure planning.
Major Transport Projects Facilitation Amendment Bill
I rise in support of the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Amendment Bill 2019, which is essentially about making sure that Victoria continues its role as the leader in infrastructure delivery. The proposed bill addresses the issues that often arise between utilities and project proponents in the identification of utilities that are affected by declared major project development.
North East Link – public transport ready
My question is to Minister Pulford representing the Minister for Public Transport. I ask the minister to detail the government’s plans to ensure public transport infrastructure in the north-eastern suburbs of Melbourne is operating at peak capacity and offers the most attractive solution for travelling during the construction of the north-east link project.
Residents encouraged to make submissions on North East Link
Eastern Metro MP Rod Barton is encouraging residents and businesses affected by the North East Link development to take advantage of the public information and submissions process.