Level crossing removals that would increase rail safety and allow commuters to get home to their loved ones quicker should be funded in next week’s state budget.
These are in addition to the level crossing removals that are either under construction, planned or completed to date.
Projects such as level crossing removals will create the jobs Victorians need right now, unlike Labor’s pie in the sky Suburban Rail Loop that won’t start for years and wouldn’t be completed for decades.
The Liberal Nationals have a strong track record on delivering level crossing removals, having completed five when last in office, funded an additional eight in the 2014-15 Budget and funded planning for 14 more.
The State Budget should make provision for urgent commencement of the following level crossing removals:
- Madden Grove, Burnley, Glenferrie Road, Kooyong, Tooronga Road, Malvern and High Street, Glen Iris on the Glen Waverley line. Three of these level crossings are supported by $250 million of Federal Government funding.
· On the Hurstbridge line, level crossings on Marshall Street, Ivanhoe and Main Hurstbridge Road in Diamond Creek should be removed. The Nillumbik Council supports this level crossing removal in Diamond Creek.
- On the Alamein line, the level crossing on Riversdale Road, Camberwell should be removed as should the level crossing on Prospect Hill Road, Camberwell.
- On the Frankston line, crossings on Warrigal Road, Parkdale, Highett Road, Highett and Wickham Road, Highett should be removed.
- On the Lilydale line crossings on Dublin Road, Ringwood East and Coolstore Road, Croydon should be removed.
- On the Belgrave line, level crossings on Alpine Street and Railway Avenue, Ferntree Gully should be removed.
- On the Frankston Baxter/Stony Point line, the Moorooduc Highway level crossing should be removed as one step in the duplication and electrification of the line between Frankston and Baxter.
- On the Craigieburn line, the level crossings on Macaulay Road, Kensington and Puckle Street and Park Street, Moonee Ponds should be removed.
- On the Sunbury line, the removal of the level crossing on Calder Park Drive, Calder Park should be funded in this state budget.
- On the Upfield line, the level crossing on Barry Road, Campbellfield should be removed.
- On the Pakenham line, the Officer South Road crossing at Officer is planned to be closed by the Andrews Labor Government. It should instead be grade-separated. The heavy road traffic justifies a separation, and this could be funded in this state budget. Concurrent with the level crossing removals on the Pakenham line, the Andrews Labor Government should make provision in this budget for railway station upgrades at Officer, Berwick and Beaconsfield.
- On the Sandringham line, level crossing removals at Glen Eira Road, Ripponlea and South Road, Brighton should be funded.
- On the South Morang railway line, funding should be included for removing the level crossing on Keon Parade, Reservoir.
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure, David Davis:
“These overlooked level crossing removals projects would help provide the massive boost to construction activity and jobs the Federal Government has called upon the states to unlock.
“This urgent spending will support construction jobs and help lift Victoria out of its deep economic fall, driven by the hard and prolonged COVID-19 lockdown. Jobs and economic activity will be supported by these level crossing removals.
“Funding to rapidly commence these level crossing removals must be provided in the State Budget on 24 November. Anything less means Daniel Andrews simply is not serious about Victoria recovering as quickly as possible from the recession that began in Victoria before the COVID-19 pandemic.”
