COMPULSORY acquisition letters have been sent to land-holders along the controversial north-south pipeline.
Nineteen letters were posted on Wednesday and more will follow, the HeraldSun reports.
Land-holders say there is still overwhelming opposition to the project.
They accuse Premier John Brumby of falsely claiming that only a few families oppose the scheme.
Independent valuer and compulsory acquisition specialist Gerald McMahon told the HeraldSun that owners were angry.
"No one is happy about having an easement going through their property . . . but there's no choice in the matter," said Mr McMahon, who has been appointed to represent land-holders in negotiations with Melbourne Water.
"It's a bit like the bloke giving you the parking ticket. He's got the right, but he's still a mongrel and he's going to give you the ticket.
"My premise is that they've got the right to do it, nobody is happy about it, but you've just got to deal with it."
