PREMIER John Brumby was in Frankston last Wednesday to again officially mark the start of a section of the Peninsula Link freeway.
Six months ago, he attended a sod-turning media event in Carrum Downs to mark the start of the $760million project at the Lathams Road overpass.
Last week, flanked by Roads Minister Tim Pallas, Frankston MP Alistair Harkness and executives from the successful tenderer construction consortium, Southern Way, Mr Brumby talked up jobs, reduced travel times and the effect on the environment.
The Liberals dubbed the event a cynical election stunt, with Opposition upper house leader David Davis quipping that "the number of sods John Brumby turns on the Frankston bypass project will probably outnumber the amount of police on Frankston streets by November's state election", a reference to last week's announcement that Frankston Council will employ private security guards because it says the Government is not providing enough police.
Security at the event was tight with police and private guards at the gate of the Cranbourne Road golf driving range where it was held.
Simon and Joyce Welsh, who have just had 2.6 hectares of their heritage-listed Frankston South property, Westerfield, compulsorily acquired to make way for the road, were refused entry. Mrs Welsh said claims by the Premier that the road would be good for the environment were "ridiculous".
The Linking Melbourne Authority has applied to Heritage Victoria for a permit to clear bushland at Westerfield that the conservation body's website states is "extremely important for its biodiversity" and "part of an important wildlife corridor".
Deakin University's cultural heritage centre director Colin Long says the Linking Melbourne Authority permit application is intimidating in its tone and he is urging Heritage Victoria to reject it.
He is concerned about LMA statements such as: "It is imperative that the successful project company is able to commence works within the Westerfield property by no later than April 30, 2010. A failure to comply with this requirement would present a significant contractual risk to the state.
"The efforts of LMA and the proponent syndicates, which involve highly prominent financial institutions and construction companies, would be severely compromised if the application was refused or there are significant delays with the decision-making process."
Dr Long said aspects of the permit application would be brought to the attention of the Victorian Ombudsman.
"Does the applicant seriously suggest that the process for consideration of the permit application is no more than a foregone conclusion, and that the arguments of other submitters cannot be entertained?" Dr Long asked.
Heritage Victoria's executive director Jim Gard'ner says more than 100 submissions have been made and a decision is expected before March 18.
As part of the normal statutory process, the permit application invited public submissions. More than 100 submissions have been received. The permit application is now being assessed by Heritage Victoria.
It is understood most of the submissions, possibly all, oppose giving the LMA a permit.
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