Briefing Session by LMA to Community Groups on Drilling Program: A request was made that LMA brief community groups on the drilling program as a matter of urgency as – to our alarm – it had already started on the roundabout in Carlton at the intersection of Swanston Street and Cemetery Drive and in Alfred Street Continue reading
Monthly Archives: July 2012
Protest to Council
Royal Park Protection Group sought legal advice on what protection could be provided to the Royal Park regarding drilling planned.
Paul Leitinger and Julianne Bell, as our representatives. attended the MCC meeting on July 10th, 2012 of the Council’s Future Melbourne Committee’s stated position.
They provided submissions opposing the drilling and pointing out the Council
On May 8th the Council had stated it “was opposed to use of any parkland for the purpose of any roadworks or associated activities”.
The members of the Committee listened to our proposal that a management plan with penalties was required as a minimum and agreed to put in place such a plan with protection measures. We were thanked for the legal opinion and our submission.
Drill sites give clue to future path of road tunnel
From The Age
IS THIS the path the controversial east-west road tunnel will cut through the inner city?
In an application to Melbourne City Council the Baillieu government is requesting approval for 13 test drilling sites in Royal Park and surrounding suburbs to plan for the multibillion-dollar project.
In an indication of its preferred route for the tunnel, maps show the drill sites run in a direct line from Alexandra Parade under the Melbourne Cemetery and Royal Park.
At the back of the indicative route the drill sites split, suggesting locations for inbound and outbound connections to CityLink in Royal Park and nearby neighbourhoods.
The application for ”preliminary geotechnical drilling” is part of a $15 million business case being prepared for the 18-kilometre tunnel, which tops the Baillieu government’s infrastructure wish-list.
The government says the project will ease traffic congestion on Melbourne’s roads and create an alternative cross-city route for cars and trucks. Since it was first proposed under the previous state government the tunnel has faced heated local opposition over tolls and concerns over its impact on the inner city and parkland.
The project received a boost earlier this month when Opposition Leader Tony Abbott committed $1.5 billion to help build it. It has been reported federal Labor could also commit funding later this year. Continue reading