Douglas St, Noble Park home owners unlikely to qualify for sky rail buyback scheme
HOME owners who live less than 20m from controversial sky rail plans were furious to discover they’re unlikely to be eligible for the State Government’s buyback scheme.
South East
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NOBLE Park residents who live near the controversial sky rail may not be eligible for the government’s voluntary house buyback plan.
The State Government last week announced residents who did not want to live next to the planned 2.7km section of elevated track, between the Heatherton and Chandler Rd level crossings, could apply for their property to be bought by the state.
For those willing to stay put, there would be extensive fencing and landscaping works and gates to access new parkland beneath the bridges.
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RELATED: Sky rail Melbourne: residents given option to sell home.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said she expected 130 to 140 properties would be eligible.
But Level Crossing Removal Authority CEO Kevin Devlin said the proposal would apply to properties “directly on the line”, which will likely rule Douglas Rd owners out of the scheme.
Dandenong state Labor MP Gabrielle Williams said residents should still contact the LXRA to see if they were eligible. “This will be decided on a case-by-case evaluation,” Ms Williams said.
Eric D’Cruz, president of Mile Creek Residents Group, said all 50 members of the group were adamantly opposed to the sky rail plan, which would bring tracks even closer to their Douglas St properties.
He said the group had submitted a petition asking the government to realign the track to the northern side of the reservation, further away from their houses.
“The existing track is 35m from my fence. But the way they are planning the new one will bring it 15-18m from my fence,” he said.
“We are not happy about this. It is far too close.”
Mr D’Cruz said residents would be furious if they were not eligible for compensation.
“It does anger us, surely,” he said.
“We are so close, and it will be so elevated and right in front of our houses.
“We believe we are just as entitled to compensation.”
He said he had already been contacted by LXRA, but they told him they did not yet know the full details of the buyback scheme.
Southern Metropolitan Region state Liberal MP David Davis said the compensation would be better spent removing level crossings by putting rail under road.
He called for the government to order a full Environmental Effect Statement (EES) on his Sky Rail project.
Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said there were many benefits to a sky rail, but it was good people directly affected would be offered an alternative.
Mr Bowen said it was obvious that those who lived next to the train line would be confronted by a big visual change.
Residents have until June 30 next year to apply to have their homes bought at market value.
If residents do sell, they will also have stamp duty paid on their next property purchase, as well as moving costs.
For details contact the Level Crossing Removal Authority on 1800 762 667.
Are you affected by sky rail plans? We’d like to hear from you. Email: dandenong@leadernewspapers.com.au