2026-01-09
Aiv Puglielli, Greens MP for North Eastern Metropolitan has written to the Premier and Minister for Transport Infrastructure calling for the Government to initiate an inquiry into the litany of problems that have faced the construction of the North East Link toll road.
Following a number of serious incidents surrounding the toll road project, he has requested the inquiry consider elements including the multiple sinkholes that have occurred in proximity to tunnel boring activity, environmental damage to local ecosystems and wildlife, community impacts such as dangerous levels of air and waterway pollution, as well as the huge multi billion dollar cost blowouts that have seen the project cost more than double.
The community deserves transparency when it comes to this disastrous toll road. They must be assured that their homes and health are safe, that their local environment will be protected and that the Labor Government is building infrastructure in a way that respects local residents, the environment and taxpayer funds.
Quotes attributable to Greens MP for North Eastern Metropolitan, Aiv Puglielli:
"For too long the raft of problems with this toll road have been inadequately addressed in isolation. We need an inquiry to investigate all the issues that have faced this project and for the Government to prove to the community that the project is being safely and responsibly managed. Local residents should have their concerns addressed. This project lacks any shred of transparency, and meanwhile taxpayers are paying $26 billion dollars for this toll road. People deserve better."