2016-02-11
Ms. PENNICUIK (Southern Metropolitan) — My constituency question is to the Minister for Public Transport. Over the weekend the government announced its proposal for the removal of level crossings on the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines, now referred to as the 'sky rail project'. This announcement has taken the community and the local councils by surprise. I have been contacted by several local resident groups raising concerns about the proposal as it affects Carnegie, Murrumbeena and Hughesdale stations in the Southern Metropolitan Region and the lack of consultation before the announcement.
The government is spinning the creation of 11 MCGs worth of open space for communities. While we always support the creation of quality open space, the possibility that local councils might be forced to pay for the upkeep of these open spaces is of concern. However, my question to the minister is: what detailed examination has occurred as to the best option for each of these particular stations, taking local topography and amenity into account?
ANSWER 14 April 2016:
The proposed designs are the result of a comprehensive tender process that evaluated options at each site, while considering the outcomes of geotechnical investigations, best practice urban design principles and the results of the community feedback gathered in 2015.
The Victorian Government has committed to fund both the development and upkeep of the 11MCGs worth of new open space that will be created by this project. Discussions will be held with the relevant councils, as well as community groups, to finalise the ownership and ongoing management of these facilities, however the Victorian Government is committed to providing funds and negotiating with local councils regarding the ongoing upkeep.
Consultation on the proposed designs is continuing until 18 March 2016, during which time the community can make formal submissions and provide feedback online or in person. The outcome of the consultation will be used to enhance the proposed designs and will assist in decision making around the project.
A key issue raised through community consultation has been a desire to retain mature trees along the corridor. One of the benefits of the Andrews Labor-Government's preferred design is that the retention of mature trees is maximised.