THE community is being ‘ramp-roaded’ by the State Government’s elusive plan for the West Gate on/off-ramps, according to Greens MP Colleen Hartland and Liberal MP Bernie Finn.

The Leader requested more information about the project from both VicRoads and the government and was told plans had not advanced passed a stick drawing.

But Ms Hartland and residents at risk of their properties being compulsorily acquired believe a business case document has already been finalised, including the specific route and expected social and environmental impacts of the proposed connection of Hyde St and the West Gate Bridge.

She said VicRoads had informed her about the progress of the business case.

But government spokesman Chris Owner instructed VicRoads not to respond to the Leader’s request for information, saying it was inappropriate to speculate before the “planning and scoping phase was completed”.

Ms Hartland said she feared the project would be approved secretly under state legislation passed last year to help the $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan.

The Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act gives the Planning Minister the power to grant works approval, planning permits and licences on behalf of the Environmental Protection Act, Heritage Act, Road Management Act, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act and Water Act.

The act prevents all forms of appeal or review of the minister’s decisions, except for the final approval decision which can only be appealed in the Supreme Court.

“The government has not been very helpful - the consultation (for the project) is really poor, I have major concerns about where (the ramps will go) and what damage they’ll do to the wetlands,” Ms Hartland said.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Protection Authority said the organisation was not involved in the project, because VicRoads would hire consultants to complete any environmental reports.

But Mr Owner played down the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act, saying it was unlikely the premier would use the act to approve the West Gate project.

Pantheon Confectionery owner Steven Psichalos said he and other residents around the Hyde and Francis streets intersection were delivered Intention of Acquisition notices last year but the lines of communication had gone cold.

“They’re not telling us anything, what sort of lead time will we get? It’s not The Castle, I can’t fight the project,” Mr Psichalos said.

He said that, even if his property was not acquired, he would move because he considered the sharp dog-leg between Hyde and Whitehall streets too dangerous.

Western Region MP Bernie Finn said the plan was on a road to nowhere and the government was “having a lend” of the community.