Heatherton train stabling yard: Protest planned against Suburban Rail Loop’s proposed southern maintenance site

Plans to build a giant Suburban Rail Loop train yard on Kingston’s Green Wedge are facing strong opposition from locals.

Liberal MPs David Davis (right) and Gordon Rich-Phillips (back) join outraged residents who are protesting against the Suburban Rail Loop Authority’s southern train yard at Heatherton. Picture: Facebook

Heatherton residents have been left in “despair” over plans to build a 35-hectare train stabling yard on green land just “metres” from homes.

Angry members of the Move the Train Yard movement are preparing to pack the corner of Warrigal and Kingston roads on Saturday in solidarity over the Suburban Rail Loop’s proposed southern train stabling yard.

The land, which sits opposite the Kingston Heath Golf Club, is part of the Sandbelt Chain of Parks and City of Kingston’s Green Wedge.

In 2018 the Andrews Government pledged $25 million toward the land to form a series of new parks.

But according to Suburban Rail Loop Authority plans, the Heatherton land would be taken over, serving as a boring point during the loop’s construction before becoming a maintenance and cleaning site for up to 34 trains.

The 26-kilometre underground loop will include stops at Clayton, Monash University, Glen Waverley, Burwood and Box Hill, and link all existing major lines to Tullamarine.

The project is set to create 20,000 jobs during construction including 2000 apprentices, trainees and cadets.

Works are set to commence next year, with the stabling facility expected to recruit 200 locals.

Heatherton residents have been vocal in their mission to move the yard to another location. Picture: Facebook

The Move the Train Yard group suggests the authority should shift the site to land bound by the Dingley Bypass, Mordialloc Fwy, Boundary Rd and Old Dandenong Rd — closer to the future Hawthorn Football Club training base and proposed water park at Dingley Village.

The group claims the land is farther from homes, with the area also not included in the Chain of Parks.

But the State Government confirmed the facility needed to be near the start of the new line, with limited suitable land available along the route between Cheltenham and Clayton.

“This is the best location for the train stabling to minimise compulsory acquisition of homes and businesses,” a spokeswoman told the Leader.

“You can’t build a turn-up-and-go rail network through Melbourne’s middle suburbs without a facility nearby to maintain its dedicated fleet of trains.

“We’re preserving and upgrading the two neighbouring reserves and will work with local council to ensure the Chain of Parks is delivered in this community.”

Nearby resident Michelle Hornstein said she was left “devastated” over the plans.

“I despair at the thought of the drilling, tunnelling and compaction that will all happen just metres from my home, on land long promised as Green Wedge parkland,” she said.

“I moved to Heatherton for the quiet semirural feel of the area but am now facing the prospect of living beside a noisy and dusty construction site for years, with vibrations from site preparation works potentially damaging my home … then, an industrial site once the train facility is built.

“There will be permanent noise, light, and rumbling from trains in the tunnels right underneath our home … constant tooting of trains as they pass through the site at ground level.”

Resident of 25 years Andrew Dawson said the yard would “forever break” the link in the Chain of Parks.

“I’m fighting to protect this area from inappropriate and intrusive proposals that would ruin the enjoyment of our peaceful amenity,” he said.

Doggy Play Park owners Miranda and Shannon Bailey, whose expansive off-leash dog play area attracts hundreds of members to the intersection of Old Dandenong and Kingston roads, said the proposal was “beyond devastating.”

A petition to protect the dog park and Kingston’s Green Wedge has soared past 2600 signatures.

“We see ourselves as a like-minded community of more than 600 members … a place where owners have developed friendships, formed regular group outings and dogs have made new friends,” the Bailey sisters said on Facebook.

“This small idea that has grown to what it is today, is in jeopardy … we are so incredibly sad at the thought of losing this community and all our amazing members alike.”