THE creation of more open space has been cited by the Level Crossing Removal Project team as one of the reasons behind divisive plans to build a rail bridge in Mentone and Parkdale.
The state government plans to remove the level crossings at Warrigal Road, Mentone and Parkers Road, Parkdale by building a rail bridge over the road. The plans were slammed by Kingston Council last week, who wrote to the LXRP urging it to consider rail under road instead.
LXRP program director Adam Maguire said that the addition of more open space was a big reason behind the decision to build rail over road. “One of the major benefits of elevated rail is that we can create around two MCGs worth of new open space, which could be used for a new town square, walking and bike paths, playgrounds, recreational facilities, trees, other greenery, landscaping and car parking. This outcome is simply not possible with a rail trench,” he said.
“We’re removing two dangerous and congested level crossings at Parkdale and Mentone and our technical and engineering assessments have determined that elevated rail is the best design solution for this location. We answered many questions submitted by residents during our five recent online community information sessions and we’ll continue to engage with residents and traders during the planning, design and delivery stages to help shape the new open space and station precinct with more community consultation to take place later this year.”
The two level crossings are expected to be removed by 2025.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 20 October 2021
14 Comments
The development is entirely inappropriate for Parkdale. The proximity of the proposed sky rail to the village shopping precinct will result in an ugly eyesore which will cast the shops and cafes in permanent shade. Sky rail might be the solution for some stations further down Nepean Hwy where it is further from shops and houses but Parkdale is an entirely different setting.
So disappointing the decision to go over rather than rail trench. Shame on you LXRP to destroy a community village and believe we want a MCG parkland. We have parks, we have our bay beaches why would we want to sit under a rail line? It will destroy the shopping village and the traders.
If you cared enough you’d reconsider your decision.
Not forgetting the trees along the existing line that will need to be removed and the wildlife that will be lost.
Parkdale is a small village remember the founders who created the village what would they say of the absurd structure you want to build. Please please reconsider under NOT over.
We lodged 2,800 signatures in a Parliamentary petition, against Skyrail in Parkdale. We previously did 10,000 back in 2016 (which got Mentone & Cheltenham underground).
Rather than report State Gov propaganda verbatim, how about you come and talk to locals on the ground who are directly affected ? ??♂️
Kingston Council are a majority Labor Council. If you read the minutes from the Council meeting, you’ll see that they believe this is an opportunity to get cash from the State Gov for contractors, community liaison and other things.
Their so called opposition to their comrades (who proposed the Skyrail) is just fake. It’s a complete sham.
Why don’t you cover what a local MP said in a community meeting – that they’d be no Skyrail in Parkdale – “end of story”.
To be polite, what an absolute furphy! The sole reason skyrail option is preferred is the projected speed of completion. The removals MUST be completed by 2025 to align with the metro tunnel completion. Community sentiment and consultation has been entirely passed over and any current resistance is ignored. This issue is galvanising the community, the resistance is real and quite universal. Articles such as this are program PR. Interesting to note that car parks, not open space are the main objective for any areas in the shadow of an elevated rail. 2022 state election will be one to watch!
Skyrail- a giant Mecano set with a car park. Totally inappropriate for Parkdale, as anyone who lives here will attest. This is a failure of process: no consultation, ignoring the Council and community. Shameful, governance by haste and conceit.
A skyrail through Mentone and Parkdale is an absolute disgrace. Will damage our beautiful village atmosphere and ruin the bayside feel. There is no need for more open space – plenty of parkland and beaches
This is complete & utter fallacy. While the crossings would be great to be removed residents do not want that at the expense of amenity & general enjoyment of our suburb. It seems outrageous that the in trench solution could be approved for Mentone, Aspendale, Edithvale & Chelsea but Parkdale – whose village centre is transsected by the railway – does not warrant the courtesy of community consultation. We have been cast adrift by our so called Member Tim Richardson. This is a complete tragedy for our community, our village way of life.
What a crap one sided piece of journalism, did you bother to ask a Parkdale local there thought of 2 MCG of space under a concrete freeway like structure, no more open spaced needed here, we have plenty already. Hope u will give the save Parkdale organisation the same print space as LXRP!
Sky rail at these locations is not wanted, needed or welcome. The Parkdale residents feel unlistened to by the LXRP and the transport minister. Nothing more than spin and lip service has been provided and without any community consultation.
Mentone was also supposed to go over but the public said No. the train goes under.
It would be a roller coaster of a train ride coming up at Parkdale and Warrigal road to then plunge down under Mentone.
Plus all of the greenery would be pulled up that has been there for years.
Businesses and residents in Parkdale have been against sky rail since it was suggested this would be the case.
Listen to the locals and go under like Mentone.
Please!
Who in Parkdale is asking for more open space? No-one, we know it will be car park under a concrete monolith. This article is not balanced and does not reflect what the community wants.
Your report on removal of rail crossing at Warrigal and Parker’s Road in incorrect. It was be more honest if you talked to the local people.
PARKDALE residents do not want “MCGs worth of open space” in lieu of valuable amenity. We already have beautiful beaches, Baytrail walking/riding tracks sports ovals and green wedge all within short distance, so under the rail car parks acting as open space doesn’t do anything to enhance liveability.Please Don’t take away our ‘village’ for a cheap and nasty concrete monstrosity. Why a skyrail in PARKDALE when neighbouring suburbs got a better design? It just doesn’t make any sense !
We need a sky rail urgently.
It will open up space under the structure … enable the application of skillful landscaping (which tends to exclude most local applicants) …be much cheaper so other municipalities can also have the benefit of govt monies.
Limited car parking is obviously needed so more people can park and shop (drink hot Milo in the guise of coffee and look silly sitting outside eating overpriced poorly made food).
…if you want an eyesore …just look at the shops themselves.
…. the overhead work will provide shade on hot days ..indeed it could also be used to run regular market days …outside community BBQ functions.
The tearing Parkdale apart hysteria ..is simply that.
…furthermore …the trains won’t be heard ….
You know it makes sense …silence the reactionary nay Sayers ….
Get behind the govt trying to use money wisely as they drag the suburban NIMBY types into being socially responsible and aware of the needs of others