The Victorian Minister for Planning yesterday released his assessment of the North East Link’s Environmental Effects Statement (EES).
Nillumbik Shire Council supports the North East Link and submitted to the North East Link Planning Panel hearings on 9 August 2019.
But Mayor Karen Egan said Council is disappointed the Minister’s assessment has not included important complementary projects that are required to support Melbourne’s northeast.
“With the completion of the Yan Yean Road duplication (Stage 1) and the imminent Yan Yean Road duplication (Stage 2), the Greensborough Bypass/Diamond Creek Road intersection must be grade separated to accommodate future traffic growth,” Cr Egan said.
In the Planning Minister’s assessment, he states the Greensborough Bypass/Diamond Creek Road upgrade will be delivered eventually, but not now:
“I expect that Greensborough Bypass/Diamond Creek Road will be delivered irrespective of the project as has been assumed. I encourage the proponent, together with the Department of Transport, to undertake further analysis regarding the extent and timing of such complementary projects”, the Planning Minister states on page 28 of the assessment.
Cr Egan said Nillumbik Shire Council submitted to the panel hearings that the Civic Drive/Greensborough Bypass/Diamond Creek Road roundabout should be grade separated and become the “Gateway to Nillumbik”.
“Nillumbik Shire Council will continue to advocate for this intersection to be grade separated and for upgrades to Diamond Creek Road as a complementary project to the $18 billion North East Link,” Cr Egan said.
