What we do
friends of banyule
Our History
What is our campaign ‘No Freeway through Banyule’ about?
Following the State Government’s announcement in December 2008 that it was going to build a freeway/tollway connecting from the Western Ring Road to the Eastern Freeway, representatives from the community formed Friends of Banyule.
Friends of Banyule is a not-for-profit community organisation dedicated to the protection of the natural spaces in our community that are threatened by the proposed freeway/tunnel/viaduct. In 2011, the newly elected State Government has indicated that it will continue to seek funding for the proposed Feasibility Study for the NE Link.
A map of the proposed freeway/tunnel/viaduct that was published in the Victorian Transport Plan is on the following link on the VicRoads website
Is Friends of Banyule affiliated with other groups?
Friends of Banyule has formed a coalition with other like-minded groups such as Warringal Conservation Society, Protectors of Public Lands and the Coalition of Transport Action Groups.
We have come together to campaign to protect such places that include Banyule Flats, Warringal Parklands, Yarra Flats and Bolin Bolin Billabong. These spaces comprise a major north-south wildlife corridor in Banyule and surrounding areas.
Why are we campaigning against the freeway/tunnel/viaduct?
- The freeway/tunnel/viaduct will do nothing to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Global Warming
- We need to support a modal shift by helping to improve our local public transport network and thereby reducing dependance on private car use
- Building more roads will not solve congestion problems in local areas (as evidenced by studies done around the world and closer to home, reports available on the recently completed East Link freeway/tunnel)
- The freeway/tunnel/viaduct and its construction will cause loss of amenities to existing parkland
- Twelve (12) storey, 30 metre exhaust vents will need to be built every 800m to 1km
- The freeway/tunnel/viaduct will serve largely as a freight connection which does little for resolving traffic congestion on local roads
- The freeway/tunnel/viaduct will geographically divide our community and result in local residents having more difficulty in accessing public services and amenities such as schools, shops and transport
- With a price tag currently estimated at $6 billion dollars in 2008, there are cheaper and more sustainable transport solutions for our area
Why protect Banyule & Yarra Flats, Warringal Parklands and Bolin Bolin Billabong?
Our local parklands hold significant environmental, cultural, historical and artistic significance (eg. the Heidelberg School of painters).
A copy of our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) is also available for download here in PDF format.
In an age of shrinking backyards and an ever-increasing urbanised metropolis such as Melbourne, these natural spaces are much more than sanctuaries for our native wildlife and remnant flora – they are places for individuals, families and groups to play, have festivals, relax and sometimes to simply enjoy the wildlife and flora that exist in these spaces. These places have important cultural and social significance, and they need our protection. Climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution further strengthen the argument that building more freeways is not the right direction to take.
Our aim is to give our natural spaces a voice, and to lobby State, Federal and Local governments to protect them for wildlife, for our community and for future generations, and to propose sustainable transport options rather than freeways.
Meeting with Public Transport & Roads Minister Terry Mulder
None of us have clarity on the Ballieu government’s stand on the North East Link and have therefore requested a meeting with the new Minister for Public Transport and Roads, Terry Mulder. We are concerned that the North East Link is still on the planning board with the new government as they expressed during their election campaign that they would ‘look at all options and potentially a feasibility study’ for the North East Link. We will keep you updated on any further news. We would also encourage you to send letters to the Minister for Public Transport and Roads directly as residents, outlining your concerns about this potential freeway. Please find below the relevant address details.
Hon Terry Mulder
Minister for Public Transport and Minister for Roads
Level 16, 121 Exhibition Street
Melbourne, VIC
Note : Friends of Banyule is also seeking a meeting with Terry Mulder on the status for the North East Link – stay tuned for updates
Meeting with Planning Minister Matthew Guy
We have also requested a meeting with the new Planning Minister, Matthew Guy along with Planning Backlash Victoria. Since the implementation of the Major Transport Projects Facilitations Act in 2009, greater powers have been bestowed upon the Planning Minister. This results in little or no opportunity for communities to have any meaningful input or the ability to take any action against inappropriate development once the project has been declared ‘a major infrastructure project’. It is imperative therefore to also meet with the Planning Minister on the issue of the North East Link. We will also keep you informed in relation to this important meeting.
VEAC Submission
On November 30, 2010 Friends of Banyule attended the Ivanhoe Community forum on the Metropolitan Melbourne Investigation Discussion Paper from the Victorian Environment Assessment Committee (VEAC). The VEAC investigation is one of the most important reviews of Public Land in Victoria and the future of Public Land could be decided by this Committee.
On January 10, 2011 Friends of Banyule made a detailed submission to the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council as part of their Metropolitan Melbourne investigation for Public Land. The submission focuses on the proposed North East Link Freeway, the subsequent destruction of existing public open space and parklands and their importance for protection of the environment, flora and fauna, our culture and community well-being. Click on the following link for a PDF download of the Friends of Banyule VEAC Submission.