Abbotsford residents say the state government is making decisions ‘with no regard for the health and safety of the local community’

Residents railing against a train facility near Victoria Park footy ground say they are facing “bullyboy tactics” from the Andrews government.

Rail works have been carried out at night close to people’s homes. Picture: David Crosling

Residents in Abbotsford say they have been betrayed by the state government after being told a heavy rail maintenance yard would be created in their neighbourhood.

Families who live near Victoria Park footy ground had pushed back on an original plan last year when Metro Trains started loud work all-night near their local railway station.

The government relented and cleared the site last April after the Herald Sun revealed the all-night noisy incursion just metres from their homes.

But residents have been told the industrial facility is returning and got a preview of what’s to come when heavy machinery returned on Monday evening for “emergency trackwork”. The din continued till after 2am, keeping residents, many who have young children, awake.

Abbotsford residents say they have been betrayed by the state government. Picture: David Crosling

Friends of Victoria Park spokesman Adam Promnitz accused the Department of Transport and Metro Trains of “bullyboy tactics’’.

“They have betrayed the community and continue to make decisions with no regard for the health and safety of the local community.

“Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan has received dozens of emails to residents and she hasn’t responded to a single one.’’

11:30pm at night and this the health hazard @JacintaAllanMP, @VicGovDTP and @metrotrains are subjecting residents to at Victoria Park. Not only that, but they want this to be a permanent arrangement by setting up a permanent maintenance facility to run 24/7. How is that fair? pic.twitter.com/B7ULqsUkW7

— Yarra Residents Collective (@yarraresidents) February 13, 2023

This was 2:10am this morning. Residents unable to sleep through this health hazard. The cowboys at @VicGovDTP, @JacintaAllanMP and @metrotrains at it again. They want to make this a permanent arrangement ruining a local community.@[e-mail]/P2dHlSpF9X

— Yarra Residents Collective (@yarraresidents) February 13, 2023

Mr Promnitz said Ms Allan issued “a faux apology” last April.

“That has been revealed as a sham with the revival of plans for the industrial maintenance facility.’’

Residents say the scale of the rail operation is inappropriate for a suburban setting and that their passenger train station is being converted into an industrial project.

Monday night’s work started without any notice and Lulie St was blocked for 30 minutes.

The Herald Sun believes the original plan for a heavy rail facility was only paused until mitigation work – namely an acoustic wall – was erected.

Concerns were raised on Monday night about safety practices and complaints were lodged with WorkSafe.

The work was to repair a broken rail that had to be conducted when trains were not operating on the network.

Metro said the rectification works would also reduce current noise from passing trains in the area.

Comment was being sought from the state government.

Last April a government spokeswoman said disruption to communities had to be managed.

“Local communities have the right to know how these works are impacting their area – and we expect our operators, construction partners and projects to regularly communicate to impacted residents.’’

A “mitigation strategy” was to be arranged through the operators and contractors, she said.

On Wednesday, Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll insisted Jacinta Allan was committed to working with Abbotsford residents to upgrade the Hurstbridge line.

“The rail yard…is a really key component of our upgrade of the Hurstbridge line. There’s been lots of consultation occurring. There is a proposal for a noise wall that will alleviate some of the issues that residents have raised,” Mr Carroll said on Wednesday.

“I know Minister Allen, as transport infrastructure minister, her office and the Department are working with residents.

“There’s been lots of forums, lots of meetings with residents, there’s been planning processes that necessitate consultation.”

Mr Carroll said the government always aimed to minimise disruptions to the local community when carrying out infrastructure projects.

But Mr Promnitz challenged Mr Carroll’s comments about community consultation by Ms Allan and her office.

“She could not have done more to ignore every resident’s phone call, email and their wellbeing.

“The transport minister’s version of consultation appears to be one where they tell the residents how their homes will be ruined and the community doesn’t get listened to.

“The minister’s statements are completely at odds with any form of reality for Victoria Park residents.’’