Tara Murray
Brimbank council says it will carefully assess state government plans for the removal of two of the city’s level crossing to ensure they meet the needs of the community.
The council has long campaigned for the removal of the level crossings at Fitzgerald Road, Sunshine West (Ardeer) and Robinsons Road, Deer Park, with the state government recently announcing that the removal of both would be fast tracked.
Work will commence this year and is expected to be completed in 2023.
The Robinsons Road level crossing will be removed with a road underpass, and the Fitzgerald Road level crossing with a road overpass.
The sites have also been the subject of huge delays and frustration for the 53,000 commuters and freight vehicles that travel through them each day.
Boom gates down for up to 45 per cent of the morning peak when up to 37 trains run through the crossings.
Community and councillor concerns surrounding the Fitzgerald Road level crossing removal were raised at a Brimbank council meeting on September 15.
Issues raised by the community included whether an underpass could be incorporated into the design, various road design issues, loss of vegetation, increase in heat and noise, and pedestrian and cycling connectivity.
Councillors asked officers to prepare a report for the council on the removals, as well as writing to the Level Crossing Removal Projects and the state government to express their concerns and community views.
Last week, infrastructure and city services acting director Tom Razmovski said the council welcomed the news of the level crossing removals.
“Of course, the devil is always in the detail, so we are carefully studying the proposed models, including impacts on council land, future maintenance, the extent of proposed walking and cycling paths in the project areas, as well as implications for local road connections and the surrounding environment.
“Council has already written to [Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan] and looks forward to further consultation with the Department of Transport regarding these issues.
“An additional report on the Deer Park Level Crossing Removal will be presented to council for consideration at a future council meeting.”
