Oaklands Crossing funding turns into political fight

THOUSANDS of flyers will flood Warradale and Oaklands Park letterboxes this weekend, hitting back at State Government suggestions that an Oaklands Crossing upgrade is imminent.

An artist’s impression of the proposed Oaklands Crossing upgrade.

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THOUSANDS of flyers will flood Warradale and Oaklands Park letterboxes this weekend, hitting back at State Government suggestions that an Oaklands Crossing upgrade is imminent.

The busy railway crossing has emerged as the latest battleground between the warring Federal and State Governments, following a breakdown in negotiations over funding for the $190 million project.

The State Government had hoped to redirect funding from a pot originally put aside for the cheaper-than-expected Northern Connector and had started community consultation.

However, the Federal Government wants formal audits on both the Northern Connector and Oaklands Crossing projects before they consider any funding reallocation.

PAUL FLETCHER: TIME FOR ACTION FIX OAKLANDS CROSSING

Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher was critical of the State Government’s failure to commit any funding to the project.

“There is a lot of work ahead to get to the outcome we all want to see — a bridge or tunnel which allows cars to proceed ... because they no longer need to cross railway tracks,” he wrote in a piece provided to Advertiser.com.au.

“There needs to be a detailed design prepared.”

The Liberal Party-backed flyers argue the State Government won’t reveal the cost or designs of the project and won’t commit new money.

State Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan has previously highlighted that of the $150 million in Northern Connector funding he wants redirected, $30 million is from his Government.

Mr Mullighan described the distribution of flyers to local residents “casting doubt on the upgrade” as “bizarre behaviour”.

“There is no reason why the Commonwealth cannot commit to the Oaklands crossing upgrade, and agree to redirecting savings from other projects, and its $40 million election commitment, to make it happen,” he said.

The State Government is currently running a Budget surplus while the Federal Budget deficit is $37 billion.