The Age: Minister ignored business case when approving plans for $6.8 billion road. November 26, 2014. Clay Lucas, City Editor

Planning Minister Matthew Guy did not consider the business case for the $6.8 billion East West Link when he approved the road, instead relying largely upon Plan Melbourne – a strategy he himself signed off – to give the project the nod.

Yarra and Moreland councils on Monday filed an outline of submissions in their Supreme Court case against the road.

The court case is at the centre of this Saturday’s state election – which Prime Minister Tony Abbott has deemed “a referendum on the East West Link”.

Labor has promised to dump the massive road tunnel under Carlton and Royal Park if elected, by relying on the two councils winning their case in December against the Planning Minister.

Lawyers for Mr Guy, as part of the case, have detailed the material the minister relied on before approving the controversial road in June. Continue Reading…