The Victorian Greens have called for a complete overhaul of the environmental effects process for major infrastructure projects in Victoria, following the approval of the North East Link.
Victorian Greens spokesperson for transport, Sam Hibbins, said the planning Minister's rejection of recommendations to protect ecologically significant areas revealed how broken the state's process was.
As stated by Victorian Greens spokesperson for transport, Sam Hibbins MP:
"At a time when Victoria is facing climate and extinction emergencies, the approval of a mega toll road that will destroy precious threatened species habitat and put a hundred thousand more cars on the road, shows that Victoria's environmental laws are broken.
"Unless there is a complete overhaul of environmental laws covering major infrastructure projects, Victoria's natural environment will die a death of a thousand cuts.
"The current laws are an effective rubber stamp that permit wholesale environmental destruction.
"The planning Minister's decision to ignore key recommendations from the independent North East Link panel shows that the process has no teeth and is unable to effectively protect Victoria's environment."
