Bell station level crossing removal: electrical substation build begins with four days’ notice

RESIDENTS of a quiet Preston street thought a new park would be established nearby as part of rail works, but instead they’re getting a 35m electrical substation metres from their homes.

RESIDENTS of a quiet Preston street thought a new park would be established nearby as part of level crossing removal works, but instead a 35m electrical substation is now being built, metres from family homes.

They claim the Esther St site was originally slated for green open space as part of the Bell station level-crossing removal project, and they received just four days’ notice before construction began.

Level Crossing Removal Authority project director Steve Brown said the 35m substation was a necessary upgrade and would boost traction power on the South Morang line, allowing additional services to run and compensating for the Mernda rail extension.

CROSSING PROTEST SHUTS DOWN COUNCIL

DIAMOND VALLEY IGNORED BY LXRA

Bell Residents Group spokesman Mitch Wall said the group didn’t question the need for the substation but wanted to know why it had to be built next to homes and why they weren’t consulted.

“This is a brand-new substation which will be noisy 24/7, is 5.5m tall and 35m long, and within a few metres of families’ homes,” Mr Wall said.

Locals Matthew Schmalkuche, Caroline Bukhary, Ana Montes and Ali (10 months) and Nicky and Tony Passaportis thougtht they were gettign a park. Picture: Ellen Smith

“We had been told that this land would become a park as part of the Bell St level crossing removal, now they are building a massive bloody building there.”

The Level Crossing Removal Authority refused to comment on the original plans for the land but said the residents would have a chance to contribute to landscaping and design for the crossing removal, scheduled for completion in 2022.

But with the substation to be running by August, residents said that was not good enough.

People in other suburbs affected by substation construction, such as Macleod, had a say on design but Preston residents weren’t engaged in consultation.

Northcote state Greens MP Lidia Thorpe said there didn’t seem to be any consideration of location or amenity.

“Community must be properly consulted with, every step of the way, during the level-crossing removal upgrades,” Ms Thorpe said.

Mr Wall suggested industrial VicTrack land located in an industrial area to the south or the Preston tram depot would be a more suitable site.

MORE NEWS:

SUCCESS IN BATTLE FOR BRIDGE

SAFETY FEARS REMAIN IN PARK