MEMBER for Lowan Emma Kealy believes this week’s Western Highway duplication halt is a sign of government incompetence.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Member for Ripon Louise Staley said the government had allowed the duplication’s planning permit lapse in 2015.
On Tuesday, VicRoads announced it had halted work on the duplication between Ararat and Buangor over planning issues.
Ms Kealy said it was a reflection on Victoria’s Premier.
“Daniel Andrews is asleep at the wheel if an administrative error is all it takes to bring this project to a standstill,” Ms Kealy said.
“Labors incompetence has already seen 900 trees destroyed, instead of an approved 221, due to a surveying error and now we are seeing further delays due to expired planning permissions.
“Who knows how much these delays will cost, but it’s certain that it’s country Victorians who will pay the price,” she said.
VicRoads admitted in 2015 a surveying error led to the destruction of 900 large old trees instead of the approved 221.
The planning process for removing the trees began under the previous Coalition government.
Ms Staley raised the issue in Parliament on Tuesday and Wednesday, demanding Planning Minister Richard Wynne issue a new planning permit immediately to get the road project going again.
“Roads Minister Luke Donnellan has dropped the ball, this crucial project is now at risk along with the jobs associated with it,” she said.
“Victorians need a State Government that will pay attention and focus on detail.”
Mr Wynne and Mr Donnellan did not respond to Ms Staley in Parliament on Tuesday.
VicRoads released a statement on Tuesday that said it suspended construction of the Western Highway duplication due to an administrative issue with the planning permission for the duplication.
“We are working to find a solution and will keep the public informed as we progress,” the statement said.
Buangor resident MairiAnne Mackenzie and her legal counsel have called on the planning minister to review the Western Highway duplication project, claiming the conducted environmental report was “fatally flawed”.
Concerned landowner Ms Mackenzie, who will have part of her land acquired through the project, is seeking to halt the works on a section of a 12.5-kilometre stretch between Buangor and Ararat.
She believes it will cause significant environmental damage and has not been adequately identified in VicRoads’ environmental effects statement.
Ms Mackenzie’s legal counsel Michael Kennedy said the planning permit for section two of the works expired in 2015, meaning no extra work could be started until a new permit is granted.
Mr Kennedy said a claimed rare Aboriginal birthing tree, which neighbours Ms Mackenzie’s property, further highlighted the problems with the environmental effects statement.
A spokesman for roads minister Luke Donnellan said the minister is aware of a request to protect a tree within the highway alignment. He said there was a rigorous process to identify issues of cultural significance.