CONSULTATION with the community is “vital” to completing the planned level crossing removals along the Frankston line, Kingston Council says.
Earlier this month, the state government announced that it would remove all level crossings on the Frankston line by 2029. Rail over road will be built to replace the level crossings at Wickham Road and Highett Road in Highett, McDonald Street in Mordialloc, and Station Street in Aspendale.
Previous level crossing removals along the Frankston line have drawn backlash from the community, especially in Parkdale. The state government’s plans to build sky rail at Parkdale were opposed by 76 per cent of residents polled by Kingston Council in a survey.
Before work begins to remove the remaining level crossings, Kingston Council has called on the LXRP to comprehensively consult with the community. The mayor Steve Staikos said “each level crossing project is unique, and it is essential that the community is actively consulted, and that local knowledge and expertise informs the planning process. We are keen to receive further information from the Level Crossing Removal Project on their plans and how they aim to engage with the community, and with the council.”
The LXRP says that consultation will take place in 2023. A spokesperson for the LXRP said “community consultation is key to developing all level crossing removal projects. Like we have already done with communities on the Frankston line, we’ll engage with locals during the planning and construction phases. Community consultation will begin next year.
“We look forward to working with communities to make the Frankston line level crossing free, ensuring the busiest sections of the rail network are safer and less congested and delivering great outcomes for locals.”
Kingston councillor Jenna Davey-Burns says that consultation with Kingston residents improved the suburban rail loop project, and that the feedback gathered for this project should be seriously considered too. “We want to ensure these projects are a catalyst for enhancing our much-loved shopping strips, lead to public safety improvements, develop vibrant community spaces, and importantly, improved pedestrian and cycling links,” she said. “Kingston is an active and engaged community with a lot of expertise to offer to the planning process and we saw how the community positively impacted elements of plans for the Suburban Rail Loop.”
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 26 October 2022