KINGSTON councillors have voted to “absolutely reject” the state government’s decision to put train stabling inside the Green Wedge in Heatherton.
Council had eyed off the former Delta landfill site for its Chain of Parks project. Late last year the state government announced that it was planning to use the land for stabling yards, prompting fury from councillors.
Councillors agreed to write to the state government to disapprove of its plans at their 27 January meeting.
The mayor Steve Staikos said “there needs to be a proper and meaningful consultation process with the residents. Our community were promised a new regional sporting facility as part of the Chain of Parks after decades of enduring sandmining and tipping, only to have it taken away for a proposed Suburban Rail Loop train stabling yard.”
“The Victorian government earmarked the Delta site and the neighbouring Henry Street site for public purchase over two decades ago but has not yet acted to secure them. We are calling for the immediate purchase of the Delta and Henry Street sites for parkland,” he said.
Deputy mayor Hadi Saab said “the impact of the state government’s decision will be absolutely huge for the communities that live near the Delta site, they are quite rightly devastated and concerned about what the future holds for them and their families.”
The motion approved by councillors once again called on the state government to fulfil its $25 million funding commitment to the Chain of Parks project.
The Suburban Rail Loop Authority has set up a survey for the public to complete about the proposed stabling yards in Heatherton. To read more visit suburbanrailloop.vic.gov.au/Have-Your-Say/Stage-One-train-stabling
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 3 February 2021