The Making and Unmaking of East-West Link

The East-West Link was a multi-billion-dollar inner-city toll road project that promised to knit Melbourne closer together but was stymied from the start due to intense picketing, protests, court challenges, media coverage, and bitter politicking. James Murphy's book explores the saga from competing vantage points, detailing the layers of politics that saturate infrastructure policymaking in Australia.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 05 July 2022
Publisher: Melbourne University Press

Melbourne's East-West Link, a massive, multi-billion-dollar inner-city toll road project, aimed to unite the city but faced numerous obstacles from the start. Intense picketing, protests, legal challenges, media coverage, and political maneuvering consumed the Victorian parliament for several years. The Link's cancellation cost the state half a billion dollars and tarnished its reputation as a political stunt. However, the origins and reasons behind the project's demise are complex. Was it a project selected for political gain and mismanaged by bureaucrats? Or was it a scheme pushed by road chiefs, unprepared for the public backlash? Or was it simply a matter of opponents successfully turning it into an election issue?

In his book, The Making and Unmaking of East-West Link, James Murphy delves into the saga from various perspectives, shedding light on the intricate layers of politics that shape infrastructure policymaking in Australia. Murphy examines the political decisions, alliances, and conflicts that led to the project's inception and eventual demise. He explores the role of state premiers, bureaucrats, road chiefs, and opposition groups in shaping the project's trajectory.

The book also sheds light on the public's perception and reaction to the East-West Link. Murphy discusses the concerns and criticisms raised by residents, businesses, and environmentalists, who opposed the project on various grounds. He explores the strategies employed by opponents to mobilize public support and turn the issue into a political weapon.

Furthermore, The Making and Unmaking of East-West Link offers insights into the broader implications of the project's failure. Murphy examines the impact on infrastructure policymaking, the role of the private sector in infrastructure projects, and the challenges faced by governments in balancing economic development, environmental concerns, and public opinion.

Overall, The Making and Unmaking of East-West Link is a comprehensive and insightful exploration of a controversial infrastructure project that played a significant role in Australian politics. By examining the project from multiple perspectives, Murphy provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the politics of infrastructure and its impact on society.

Weight: 362g
Dimension: 234 x 154 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780522878363