Moreland Leader: Moreland Council demands compensation for East West Link tunnel. Suzanne Robson. 20 January 2014

Moreland Council wants compensation from the State Government for facilities that will be lost during East West Link’s construction.

In its submission to the project’s assessment committee, the council wanted compensation for the loss of the Holbrook Reserve Pavilion, valued at about $1.29 million after a $329,000 refurbishment in the past two years.

The submission also criticised the state’s Comprehensive Impact Statement, in particular its traffic modelling and revelations of how the link will impact facilities and the public transport and cycling networks.

Linking Melbourne Authority’s statement reveals parts of Holbrook Reserve on Moonee Pde will be permanently acquired to construct the road link, with sections used as construction areas in the short term and 0.28ha to be acquired permanently to facilitate CityLink’s widening and the realignment of the northbound on-ramp from Brunswick Rd.

The council’s submission identified that while no detailed plans were available for the reserve, it could be reduced to such an extent it would be impractical for sporting teams to use. Brunswick Zebras Soccer Club used the facility four nights a week from April to October in 2013 and Brunswick Cricket Club – which has 290 members – uses the ground during summer.

As well as the compensation for the loss of the pavilion, the council called for state cash to design and build a footbridge across Moonee Ponds Creek to connect to Ormond Park.

The council requested traffic volume modelling be provided for Brunswick Rd, Brunswick West, to assess the impacts of a new exit ramp at Ormond Rd.

Authority spokeswoman Gemma Boucher said there would be minimal impact to Ormond Park and Holbrook Reserve and contractors would work with sporting clubs to ensure the reserves could still operate.

“We are not expecting the pavilion at Holbrook Reserve to be affected or the playing surface to be compromised, however some adjustments to access arrangements may need to be made,” she said.