[Greens-Media] Report proves overwhelming opposition to Eddington tunnels

[Elizabeth.Ingham at parliament.vic.gov.au]

Greens MLCs Colleen Hartland and Greg Barber have launched a report by 
Parliamentary Intern, Kate Wilson, which analyses the 2,149 submissions to 
the 'Eddington Report' process, and demonstrates that the community is 
overwhelmingly opposed to the proposed new east-west road tunnel. 

"This report holds the government to account.  Either the government can 
build a tunnel, or they can honour their commitment to listen to the 
public.   They can't have both."

"A staggering 1,669 submissions opposed the road tunnel. Only 171 were in 
favour of it.    People who opposed the tunnel were mostly individuals, 
but it was business submissions that mostly favoured the tunnel.  Non 
government organisations unanimously opposed the tunnel."

"I've said from the word go that people want public transport instead of 
new roads.  Now this report proves it.  1,078 people wrote submissions to 
say they want the road tunnel money put into public transport instead."

"Opposition to the tunnel comes from all across Melbourne, especially my 
own western suburbs, because all these new roads, elevated roads, widened 
roads, roads in cuttings and tunnels ploughing through residential areas 
in the west are proposed to feed that tunnel."

"The community doesn't want even more big roads.  They want public 
transport instead, and strong, gutsy community campaigns have formed to 
say so."

"But before this report, there has been no comprehensive, accurate proof 
that the public overwhelming opposes the tunnels."

"This report tells us that our community campaigners are not a noisy 
minority.   They represent the overwhelming majority.  They represent 
residents, not big business.  They are the voters – ignore them at your 
peril."

"The report recommends that the Brumby government release to the public 
its own analysis of the public's submissions, then show the public how 
their submissions were used in the decision making process," said Colleen 
Hartland
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Liz Ingham
Office of Colleen Hartland MLC
Western Metropolitan Region

A: 75 Victoria Street, Seddon 3011
P: 9689 6373
M: 0409 333 595
F: 9689 6227
E: elizabeth.ingham at parliament.vic.gov.au
W: www.electedgreensvictoria.org.au

38 community members attended the launch, which was held at Colleen 
Hartland’s office.  The report is available on 
www.electedgreensvictoria.org.au 


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