Ongoing Uncertainty Re: Compulsory Acquisition of Homes in the West

Ms HARTLAND (Western Metropolitan) -- My adjournment matter is for the attention of the Minister for Roads and Ports. Along with many other residents in western Melbourne, I was relieved to find the absence of funding in this year's budget for the proposed road tunnel.

Residents in Tottenham, Seddon and Footscray have received letters from the state government saying that their houses might be compulsorily acquired. People who have received the letters are understandably quite upset.

From the pattern of possible acquisitions, it is clear that the government is looking at the possible relocation of smokestacks as well as the entrance and exit of the tunnel.

Despite repeated requests from residents and me to the Minister for Roads and Ports, he has failed to disclose what streets the road tunnel will destroy. No detailed road tunnel plans have been provided, yet the government has managed to provide location-specific warnings of housing acquisitions.

As no funding has been provided for the road tunnel, I ask the minister to write to residents who received housing acquisition letters and clarify the situation. Should they continue to live in fear? What is the planned route or routes for the road tunnel under Footscray, including smokestacks?