Three Melbourne councils have joined forces to fight the $15.8 billion North East Link project in its current form, saying it poses unacceptable ecological risks and will have a disastrous impact on homes, local roads and community facilities.

Banyule, Boroondara and Whitehorse councils say the environmental impacts of the Victorian government’s North East Link are serious and irreversible and the benefits have been “materially exaggerated”.

Banyule mayor Wayne Phillips, Boroondara mayor Jane Addis and Whitehorse mayor Bill Bennett are united in their opposition to the North East Link in its current form. Credit:Chris Hopkins

Their concerns include the loss of 30 hectares of space and about 25,000 trees, up to seven years of disruption from construction, “irreparable damage” to the Yarra River floodplain and other waterways and excessive widening of the Eastern Freeway.

The government has pledged to plant 30,000 trees to replace the lost flora, but critics argue these small trees will not make up for what is lost.