Skyrail plan: need for more information and for community consultation

Published on 25 February 2016

Monash Council is calling for more information on the State Government’s skyrail plan, while expressing concern for any impacts on the amenity of residents who live near the proposed elevated rail sections.

Earlier this month, the government announced a design for the removal of all nine level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong on the Pakenham-Cranbourne line. The design includes two elevated rail sections in Monash: in Clayton and Hughesdale.

At its meeting on Tuesday night, Council resolved to (amongst other things):

• Request a thorough and documented explanation from the Level Crossing Removal Authority of the investigation used to determine selection of the elevated rail option at each location
• Express concern for any impacts on the amenity of residents who live near the proposed elevated rail sections
• Advocate for the State Government to genuinely consider all of the concerns and feedback raised with it during the current community consultation.

Monash Mayor Stefanie Perri said the Council was most concerned about the impact on Hughesdale and Clayton residents who live close to the railway line.

"The Level Crossing Removal Authority needs to provide more detail about how these residents would be impacted, so everyone knows what the noise, overshadowing and other impacts would be," Cr Perri said.

"I understand the anxieties and concerns of residents who live near the railway line. They need and deserve detailed answers to their questions."

"Council is seeking more information so we can undertake detailed assessments, whether that be of the noise evaluation, urban design, community safety, traffic impact or other elements."

Cr Perri said Council had also resolved to advocate for improvements to the skyrail design, in case the government decided to pursue that design. Some of the measures Council will advocate for include:

• minimising any amenity impact on adjoining residents, in particular the residents to the east of Poath Road, Hughesdale, who are directly impacted
• a commitment from the government to fund a high standard of maintenance of the public areas under the elevated sections for at least the next 20 years and ongoing graffiti removal
• an exploration of the options for Hughesdale that enhance open space and open space connections
• consideration of relocating the Clayton Police Station so it is part of any train station upgrade, which would help ensure the train station and surrounds are safe

"As Council analyses the skyrail plans in more detail over coming months, I expect the list of measures and protections we are seeking will continue to grow," Cr Perri said.

She said it was in the best interests of the local community for Council to continue to argue for the best possible outcomes, rather than take a rigid oppositional position.

"In our view, it serves our community better to keep the lines of dialogue open with the government and the authority, to keep voicing residents’ and Council concerns, and to keep pushing for information and improvements," Cr Perri said.