Sky rail Melbourne: Premier says nearby residents to be compensated

RESIDENTS living near the Andrews Government’s $1.6 billion sky rail project could receive compensation or voluntarily sell their homes to the government.

RESIDENTS living near the Andrews Government’s $1.6 billion sky rail project could receive compensation or voluntarily sell their homes to the government.

Premier Daniel Andrews unexpectedly revealed this morning that arrangements for compensation and “any voluntary acquisition of property” were “fully-funded”.

It comes after the Herald Sun reported last month that Level Crossing Removal Authority representatives told Glen Eira councillors that households along the train line were not expected to get compensation.

Residents protest against Sky Rail outside the State Government offices. Picture: Paul Loughnan

Details on the compensation scheme are scant, as the Premier refused to say how much money had been set aside to placate residents along the Cranbourne-Pakenham line.

“I’m not going to get into that,” Mr Andrews said.

“It starts to be, I think, fundamentally disrespectful to people. We’re going to work through this and we are already doing that on a case-by-case basis.

“Everyone’s circumstances differ, some people may want to be compensated, some people may want to move.

Organiser Willem Popp speaks to angry residents at a meeting to protest the State Government’s proposed sky rail. Picture: Eugene Hyland

“We want to treat them fairly and that’s exactly what we’ll do.”

Residents near the train line — which will be elevated for more than 8km — have complained that the Andrews Government’s plans would hurt house prices.

The Herald Sun also revealed on the weekend that residents would be offered temporary accommodation when around-the-clock works begin on the project.

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

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