Statement regarding level crossing removal consultation

The City of Stonnington is aware of an article regarding planned rail level crossing removals.

We are concerned the article does not fully reflect the Council’s position and believe it’s important people understand the facts.

Please our full statement below:

The City of Stonnington is committed to advocating on behalf of our community on issues that are important to them. We most recently did this on proposed rail level crossing removals to ensure that we could clearly and definitively share the voice and desires of our community with the Victorian Government.

In response to advice from the Victorian Government that it was preparing a business case for the proposed removal of the Glenferrie Road, Kooyong and Tooronga Road, Malvern rail crossings, the City of Stonnington actively sought to understand the views of the affected community – both those who live next to the crossings and those in the surrounding area.

The results of our engagement were conveyed to the State’s Level Crossing Removal Program, informing them about what’s important to the community and requesting a collaborative approach be adopted for the design development.

Council is seeking quality design outcomes that lead to reduced congestion, greater accessibility and improved functionality for our residents.

The research revealed that the design decision is not a simple binary decision – ‘over’ or ‘under’, as each has pros and cons in the design, implementation and outcomes which our residents are interested in. Therefore, Council is not pushing for one outcome over another as much as we are simply trying to make sure the local voice is strongly represented in the decision.

Background

  1. The Level Crossing Removal Project (LXPR) is developing a business case for the removal of level crossings in Glenferrie Rd, Kooyong, and Tooronga Rd, Malvern. The City of Stonnington has requested that LXRP also investigate removing the level crossing at High St, Glen Iris.
  2. Council is calling on the LXRP to work collaboratively with the community as designs are developed in order to deliver the best outcome for the community, local residents and businesses.
  3. The State Government will decide on any proposed level crossing design options, however, Council is committed to engaging with LXRP on behalf of the community.
  4. In the absence of LXRP engagement, Council has conducted its own research to understand community views. Without Council conducting this research, there was a concern that there would be an absence of local interests represented in the business case.
  5. This research indicates accessibility for people with disabilities, ease of movement, safety and greenery are the most important considerations as these projects are developed, as well as cycling facilities.
  6. Improved stations, more landscaping and trees, the retention and improvement of amenity, vegetation, heritage and character are also key to the success of these projects.
  7. Council is calling on the LXRP to work collaboratively with the community as designs are developed to ensure the best possible outcome for the community, residents and business.
  8. With federal funding already committed for the Glenferrie Rd project, one of the last level crossings in Victoria where cars, trams, trains and pedestrians share the same intersection, Council is calling on LXRP to deliver the project without delay.
  9. The community was united in its desire for the level crossing project to go ahead.

/Public Release. View in full here.