Thursday, 28 August 2025

 Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:48): (1788) My question today is to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure. The North East Link toll road has ripped a gaping path through parts of our beautiful natural environment in the north-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Remnant bushland at the Simpson army barracks was flattened. This was some of the best remaining habitat for the matted flax lily and the Studley Park gum, two critically endangered plants. It was also part of a wildlife corridor used by the powerful owl and the swift parrot, two of our native birds that are vulnerable and critically endangered respectively. Living in the area it is pretty apparent that the environmental damage cannot be undone, but I think the public deserves to know just how bad the situation is. Minister, can you please provide any updated guidance you have received on the impact that this project’s destruction has had on these endangered species at this site?