By Tate Papworth
The Brimbank council has drafted 10 design principles to guide the design and delivery of the upgrade of the Ballarat train line through Ardeer and Deer Park.
The upgrade will include the removal of level crossings at Fitzgerald Road, Sunshine West; Station Road, Deer Park; and Robinsons Road, Deer Park.
There would also be significant upgrades to stations on the line including constructing a new, elevated, Deer Park station and a new station for
Ardeer.
The council wants the upgrades to include station precincts that maximise benefits for the community and create a sense of place with a distinctive character specific to Brimbank.
Cr Sam David said the principles were vitally import and urged the community to have their say.
“The draft urban design principles will be used by council to inform all discussions with the state government during the planning, design and delivery of the level crossing removals project and upgrades,” he said.
Other key principles include maximising economic development, integrating bicycle connections, minimising physical, and visual and acoustic impacts.
To maximise economic opportunities design teams would be encouraged to locate their offices in Sunshine, construction crews would be encouraged to shop locally, and there would be a push for employment of local workers.
There will also be a priority placed on walking, cycling and public transport access to the stations ahead of private vehicles.
The design principles will go out for community consultation for four weeks before a further report incorporating responses is taken back to the council.
