Industrial land in Brooklyn and Sunshine West could be acquired by the state government to make way for the east-west link.
An “indicative route” for the western section of the new road released by the state government shows it would cut through industrial land.
It’s not known how many properties would be acquired.
Star Weekly has spoken to one Brooklyn landowner, who wanted to remain anonymous and was concerned local businesses would be “wiped out”.
Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten, in an exclusive interview with Star Weekly, said he hoped landowners in Brooklyn and Sunshine West would be looked after.
“They should make sure they get reasonable value and that [they are aware] they will have rights,” he said. “They should sit down and negotiate with the government authority who will be doing it. Nothing’s ever black and white.”
A government spokesman said Caroline Springs residents were expected to cut up to 15 minutes off their travel time into the city thanks to the link.
“The government has released an indicative route for the western section of the east-west link,” he said. “A preferred alignment will be released in due course with a final alignment to be subject to the tender process. The western section will feature a combination of surface roads, tunnel, bridge and viaduct.”
The federal government will contribute $1.5 billion towards the western section of the east-west link, which is expected to create 3000 jobs during the construction phase.
The state government’s contribution will be outlined in the budget.
