Melbourne residents hit by sky rail works offered alternative accommodation

RESIDENTS will be offered temporary accommodation when around-the-clock works begin on the Andrews government’s $1.6 billion sky rail project in Melbourne’s southeast.

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RESIDENTS will be offered temporary accommodation when around-the-clock works begin on the Andrews government’s $1.6 billion sky rail project in Melbourne’s southeast.

The Level Crossing Removal Authority said “significant noise” would mean some residents would be offered accommodation while the rail bridge was being built.

“Across all of our level crossing removals, the majority of construction work will be undertaken during the day; however, some 24-hour works will be required,” LXRA chief executive Kevin Devlin said.

“It is standard practice that during all major night works where significant noise is expected, the residents in closest proximity to the works are contacted and offered alternative accommodation for sleeping.”

An artists' impression of sky rail over backyards in Melbourne’s southeast.

Carnegie resident Roger Wilson said he had been offered alternative accommodation once construction started behind his Rosstown Rd home.

“In the narrow corridor behind my place, I can’t see how they would get in and do the work,” Mr Wilson said.

Mr Wilson, an engineer, and neighbour Mark Savage also told the Herald Sun they were concerned their homes would be compulsorily acquired for a future expansion.

An LXRA representative told Mr Wilson a third and fourth rail line would probably need to run to the south of the current project, meaning Rosstown Rd homes could be acquired.

Mr Wilson said he supported removing level crossings but the sky rail project meant the value of his family home had been “absolutely trashed”.

Mr Devlin said that building third and fourth tracks for freight was possible but not part of the current project.

Opposition planning spokesman David Davis said residents needed to be told how a third and fourth line would impact on their homes.

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