We continue to advocate for the best outcomes for the Boroondara community.
Council has settled the legal proceedings against the North East Link Project (NELP) and the Victorian Government.
Our key activities now focus on:
- Working with NELP and contractors to influence the final design of the project to minimise impacts on the community and open space.
- Keeping the community informed of key NELP activities.
- Reviewing and preparing submissions to public exhibitions of NEL Urban Design and Landscape Plans. Encouraging the community to engage with these consultations.
- Delivery of community projects funded by NELP as part of the legal settlement. These include canopy tree replanting, Bellevue Shopping Centre improvements, road and traffic improvements and the Koonung Creek Concept Design.
- Liaising with NELP and its early works contractors to minimise disruptions to our community and to sporting facilities during the early works.
- Managing permits and conditions for site investigations to minimise disruptions to our community.
Previous activities have included:
- Preparing for the legal proceedings.
- Finalising a canopy replacement plan to guide tree planting to offset project-related tree removals in Boroondara.
- Working to progress the Supreme Court challenge.
- Presenting to the consortia bidding for the NEL primary package to identify key issues of concern to Council and the community and to advocate for improvements to the NEL design to reduce community and open space impacts.
- Responding to the Minister’s Assessment Report and decision
- Ongoing advocacy to NELP and engagement with stakeholders on a number of issues including the retention of sports facilities and protection of open space
- Liaising with the NELP and contractors
Prior to the release of the Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC) report, Council:
- Submitted a detailed submission together with Banyule and Whitehorse Councils in response to the Environment Effects Statement (EES) for review by the Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC).
- Presented to the IAC during the Panel Hearing from 6 July to 16 September.
- Informed state and federal politicians of Council and community concerns, and decisions in relation to the NEL impacts.
- Met with residents, community groups and impacted clubs to listen to their concerns in order to advocate on their behalf.
- Took critical advocacy decisions to Council for discussion and endorsement. For example, the development of the Bulleen Park Concept Plan showing plans for the reinstatement of Freeway Golf Course (18 hole, par 69) and Boroondara Tennis Centre.
- Hosted community information sessions.
- Maintained up-to-date content on the Boroondara website to keep the community informed.
- Responded to media queries and issued media releases.