Andrew Munroe, Candidate and current Councillor, Cootamundra Ward
The NELP was the wrong project. It is a freeway to a congested Hoddle St. It should have been a ring road on the outside of the Ringwood tunnels.
I disagree that Whitehorse was weak. We spent if I recall correctly over $1M on this issue, but the State have massive sums of money to resist Council resistance (in the Courts / Tribunals etc.).
I will fight hard to ensure we get re-instatement, new plantings etc. in greater numbers to have at least some offset.
Jeffrey Rickard, Candidate, Cootamundra Ward
1. Do you support, oppose or are you neutral regarding the NE Link Project including the widening of the Eastern Freeway?
The project is approximately one third way through the scheduled timeline and therefore it is in my opinion, most sensible to support and complete its construction.
The Feasibility and Cost-Benefit analyses for the project were undertaken pre-2022 and irrespective of whether you agree with findings or not the project has most likely reached a point-of-no-return phase whereby cost incurred to abandon the NE Link Project and implement a remediation plan would be exorbitant and outweigh any possible advantage that may be desired.
2. What have you done so far in relation to the NE Link Project as part of your duties as a Councillor In order to negate its negative effects?
I am not the incumbent and therefore have had no responsible duty regarding the NE Link Project.
3. If elected, what will you commit to do in relation to the North East Link Project in the best interests of your constituents in order to protect public health, the environment, social amenity and liveability and the municipality’s obligations to mitigate climate change?
The NE Link Project has undertaken 18 specialist environmental impact assessments conducted to address the Scoping Requirements set by the Minister for Planning. There has also been an opportunity for members of the public to make submissions about the project regarding social amenity, liveability and the municipality’s obligation to mitigate climate change. Therefore, if elected I will commit to continue to monitor any public concerns and respond directly when required by my Constituents.
Kieran Simpson, Candidate, Cootamundra Ward
I’m sorry that I haven’t replied sooner, your email went to spam and I only saw it this morning.
I have never supported the NE Link project. I’m happy to discuss with you my reasons if you’re still interested.
It’s worth noting that I am a member of the PTUA.
Preston Brown, Candidate, Walker Ward
1. Do you support, oppose or are you neutral regarding the NE Link Project including the widening of the Eastern Freeway?
I support the project as being in Mitcham and in construction, sometime in the north, the journey through Rosanna, Greensborough or Eltham can be a tough journey with lots of traffic. It’s probably the only big project I agree with building.
2. What have you done so far in relation to the NE Link Project as part of your duties as a Councillor In order to negate its negative effects?
NA
3. If elected, what will you commit to do in relation to the North East Link Project in the best interests of your constituents in order to protect public health, the environment, social amenity and liveability and the municipality’s obligations to mitigate climate change?
I would certainly be making sure re vegetation of the eastern areas around Whitehorse along eastern freeway. It’s been sad and depressing seeing the eastern freeway stripped bare of trees between Doncaster and Bulleen road. It’s ruined the look of the area around the freeway.
Philip Daw, Candidate, Walker Ward
1. Do you support, oppose or are you neutral regarding the NE Link Project including the widening of the Eastern Freeway?
No I do not support it. However I think it is too far advanced to stop. It may be possible to modify it to mitigate its worst aspects.
2. What have you done so far in relation to the NE Link Project as part of your duties as a Councillor In order to negate its negative effects?
Firstly, let me be clear, I am NOT currently a councillor – I am seeking election.
I have been active in my opposition to it although I am not sure that my activities have been widely published or accepted. However the feedback from many recipients and experts in the field have been positive.
Local Government has fiercely opposed aspects of the North East Link but have been marginalised by the State Government that is pushing and has approved it.
It (the NE Link) does not address many of the issues it claims to ‘fix” and in many instances exacerbates them.
3. If elected, what will you commit to do in relation to the North East Link Project in the best interests of your constituents in order to protect public health, the environment, social amenity and liveability and the municipality’s obligations to mitigate climate change?
If elected as a councillor I will advocate aggressively to have as many detrimental aspects of the project rectified. In particular, but not limited to, its impact on local roads and the environment.
It has a very significant impact on Springvale Road since the Mullum Mullum and Melba tunnels do not have the capacity to handle all of the extra traffic and placarded loads are not permitted through them.