GCM’s Bulleen Project up in the air amid roadwork plans

Ahead of the Greek Community of Melbourne’s Annual General Meeting this week it has been revealed the anticipated Bulleen Project may very well not be going ahead

Plans for the Bulleen Project, pictured, are likely to be scrapped. Photo: Supplied

27 April 2018 4:23pm

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There’s no doubt that the Bulleen project will be the main focus at the Greek Community of Melbourne’s (GCM) Annual General Meeting on Sunday.

Purchased in the mid-80s by members of the community, the future of the site and its use had been a subject of great debate for some 30 years. In 2017, the community finally revealed some well-thought out plans to build a new ‘Greek Centre on the Yarra’ featuring an array of amenities including aged care facilities, schools, community and function spaces, and sporting fields.

But the Victorian Government will be having the last word, with the land in question a possible acquisition as part of designs to build North East Link tunnels that will link the Eastern Freeway and the M80 Ring Road.

“We are talking to more than 200 landowners who might be affected by the project,” North East Link Authority (NELA) CEO Duncan Elliott told Neos Kosmos.

He added that while “no final decisions have been made”, NELA sought to engage with those who may be affected by the project as early as possible to give people plenty of notice.

Neos Kosmos sources are aware that the GCM was informed of the roadworks plans in December 2017, but held off from informing the community until now, the uncertain fate of the project also the reason behind delaying the AGM.

Part of the reason for staying silent on the matter could be attributed to the fact that the precinct structure plan was still in development at the time, with a draft expected to be complete by March 2018.

Currently in negotiations with the Ministry of Planning regarding rezoning in the area, president of the GCM Bill Papastergiadis has said that if the roadworks do impact the site, as compensation for the land and the inconvenience, they expect a generous pay-out from the government. But expectations are just that at this stage, with any possible compensation up to property valuers, and not NELA, based on the market value of the site.

“Any acquisitions that are required will be based on independent expert valuation advice from the Valuer-General,” said Mr Elliott.

Neos Kosmos will continue to report on the matter as further details are revealed.

The NELA is seeking communtity feedback on the designs so far. Go to http://northeastlink.vic.gov.au/project/map and follow the links.