Baker attacked as level crossing tensions flare

A baker allegedly headbutted by a “rogue” contractor in Melbourne’s east believes the ugly attack highlights an escalating community issue.

Mont Albert traders and contracts have been butting heads over crossing removal works. Picture: Kiel Egging.

A senior baker allegedly headbutted to the ground by a “rogue” level crossing contractor in Melbourne’s east said the altercation highlighted the growing tensions between project workers and local traders.

Mont Albert Village Traders President and Bread Street bakery owner David Winter was left bloodied and bruised after a stoush over carparking on Monday afternoon.

Mr Winter said he was approached by a “physically very big guy” – believed to be working on the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) – moments after placing a note under his windscreen where he asked that he not park his truck in a carpark designated for shoppers.

Baker David Winter was allegedly assaulted by a contractor outside his business. Picture: Nine News

“It was a pretty innocuous note. It just said ‘please don’t park there’,” Mr Winter said.

“Shortly after, the guy came towards me. He basically started swearing at me and then got hold and gave me a very hard headbutt.

“The only thing I remember as I was falling to the ground was that I needed to protect my head, so instead I landed on my shoulder.”

Mr Winter wasn’t hospitalised but was treated by paramedics on scene. He said he woke up with a sore head and shoulder on Tuesday.

Mr Winter claimed the man sped off before police arrived. He doesn’t intend to press charges, but said he should never have been put in that situation.

Bread Street bakery owner David Winter is assisted by a Good Samaritan after he was allegedly headbutted. Picture: supplied

Police speak with witnesses as alleged headbutt victim David Winter recovers on a chair. Picture: supplied

“What on earth is the baker of Mont Albert doing running around the carpark getting rid of vehicles from the LXRP?” he said.

“That parking is meant for shoppers. I shouldn’t have been in that situation.”

Premier Daniel Andrews said Victoria Police were looking into the incident.

“There’s no place for violence in our Victorian community,” he said.

“I’m very confident that Victoria Police will do what they need to do to investigate those matters thoroughly.

“If they can gather the evidence necessary, then I’m sure that anyone who has behaved in that sort of disgusting way, will feel the full force of the law, as they absolutely should.”

LXRP CEO Kevin Devlin said he was aware of a physical altercation at Mont Albert.

David Winter at his Bread Street bakery. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Victoria Police is investigating this matter and our principal contractor Laing O’Rourke is assisting to identify the person involved, and confirm if they were working on the level crossing removal project,” he said.

”LXRP does not tolerate violence in any circumstance and is treating the situation seriously.

“As this matter is with police it is not appropriate to comment further.”

Local residents and traders in Surrey Hills and Mont Albert have for months expressed anger and frustration towards the Level Crossing Removal Project’s handling of disruptions in the area.

Level Crossing Removal Authority stakeholder engagement and communications manager Lance Wilson tells Mont Albert shop owners they will lose customers if they don’t take down a sign objecting to the LXRA’s management of the local project.

The project will replace two deadly crossings – including one where two elderly women were struck and killed by a train – will be replaced with a single “superstation”.

Mr Winter said while he agreed that the project was justified, he claimed the Level Crossing Removal Project failed to appropriately engage with concerned stakeholders.

“It’s an iron clad organisation. You can’t get through to them,” he said.

“I don’t have any issue with the project, but dealing with the LXRP is just a layer of lies.”

It comes weeks after a senior communications manager was caught on camera telling nearby small business owners that they would lose business because they displayed a poster that was critical of the LXRP.

Deputy opposition leader David Southwick said the incident was “absolutely appalling”.“This individual needs to be removed. We can’t have thugs being allowed to roam the streets and be allowed to bully, intimidate and harrass individuals - it’s unacceptable,” he said.