Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan, in an act of sheer bloody-mindedness, today announced contracts have been signed to construct a sky rail at Toorak Road, Kooyong.
This is despite the $260 million on offer from the Commonwealth for a rail under road removal of the notorious level crossing at nearby Glenferrie Road, Kooyong.
Labor’s arrogant decision on Toorak Road now makes it more difficult to achieve a sensible outcome for the removal of both crossings.
Common sense, as well as a survey of 10,000 residents, shows that both level crossings should be removed with a rail under road solution. This would provide the least impact on the local community and the best long-term outcome.
Appearing before the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee today, Minister Allan appeared to reject proper negotiations with the Commonwealth.
In signing a sky rail contract for Toorak Road, without integrating the Toorak and Glenferrie Road crossings where there is $260 million of Commonwealth money on offer, Labor has engaged in an act of bastardry.
Once again, Labor is seeking to divide communities when it could work with the Federal Government on a solution that would bring people together.
Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan should negotiate honestly and openly with the Commonwealth on removing both Toorak Road and Glenferrie Road level crossings with road under rail.
The alternative – Labor elevated sky rail at Toorak Road and Liberal ‘rail under’ at Glenferrie Road – will mean a Big Dipper train line that takes taxpayers and the local community for a ride.