The Victorian Government has postponed its formal property acquisition process until the middle of the year, in recognition of the difficult circumstances created by COVID-19.
Residents and businesses that begin the property acquisition process later in the year will have the same amount of time to find a new property.
Coordination of Transport – COVID-19 Minister Jacinta Allan said the extra time provided for the acquisition process won’t have any impact on the overall project timeline.
Project teams have already started working with individual tenants and property owners on the best options for each case – acknowledging that property acquisition is challenging, especially in the current environment.
“We’re allowing local residents and businesses more time given the uncertainty coronavirus has created,” Allan said.
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“This won’t change the timelines for this massive project, but it will people the space they need to make the decisions that are right for them.
“We’ll continue to work closely with residents and business owners as we get on with this vital project – which will slash travel times and take 15,000 trucks off local roads every day.”
Early works on the project are still underway and include protecting and moving more than 34 kilometres of gas, water and sewer pipes and drains, and more than 95 other utilities, ahead of major construction starting next year.
A Voluntary Purchase Scheme (VPS) has also been implemented for property owners located in Borlase Street, Yallambie, due to impacts from the early work program and future major construction.
A VPS will also be available for residents affected by the final project design, with eligibility to be finalised once detailed design is known later this year.