Sky rail plan for level crossing removals has residents seeing red

Residents in Bayside suburbs are venting their anger at a sky rail plan that has put homes and businesses under threat of demolition.

Angry residents who live next to a planned sky rail in Melbourne’s southeast say their voices have been ignored amid fears some properties would be acquired.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced recently that an extra 10 level crossings would be removed in a blitz before 2025, including at Mentone and Parkdale.
Locals found out later that the plan was to elevate rail for about 2km through Parkdale, demolishing the existing station and creating a new one three-storeys high.

Opponents have told the Herald Sunthere are fears a handful of homes and businesses nearest to the station would be threatened by the plan, and have hit out at the government’s inadequate consultation.

Dave and Polly Harrison are leading a community campaign against the sky rail project. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Parki Grocer co-owner Dave Harrison said Como St West traders and local residents “feel we’ve totally lost our voice”.

“There’s been enormous consultation at other level crossings like nearby Cheltenham and Mentone,” he said.

“They had handouts and feedback sessions and that was before any announcements were even made by the government.

“There’s been a bit of a change in the last week where they’ve suggested there will be consultation, but they’re not giving us any detail about whether it’s to decide on build rail over road or just for smaller changes.

Another local, Shane Sheedy, said elevated rail would be a “disaster” for nearby shops and homes — with some of those to the east of the tracks potentially facing acquisition.

“Putting a sky rail in is just madness,” he said.

Dave Harrison said traders and residents “feel we’ve totally lost our voice”.

In response to resident concerns, a spokeswoman for the government told the Herald Sun said there would be widespread consultation about the design and that it did “not expect there will be the need for land acquisition as part of this project”.

The level crossings being removed are classified as dangerous and are at Parkers Rd, Parkdale and Warrigal Rd, Mentone.
To do this, the government’s “preferred design” is for an elevated structure to the south of Mentone station that continues as “sky rail” until after Parkdale Station.

After the project was announced, local MP Tim Richardson told parliament he wanted community engagement to begin “as soon as possible” and that it would need to consider the area’s “village vibe”.

Some locals also said new planning provisions have cut down on requirements for community feedback, with legislation in April.

The government spokeswoman said there had been no change to level crossing removals being run through the Major Transport Projects Act.

“All level crossings are unsafe, and a rail bridge allows for the level crossings to be removed as soon as possible, while we have teams out working close by on other level crossing removals,” she said.

“This will reduce disruptions, maximise delivery efficiencies, create more jobs and mean more level crossings can go sooner.”

Mr Harrison’s “Save Parkdale” campaign has attracted 5000 signatures online and have two petitions circulating through the state’s upper and lower house.

A “Parki Army” of 300 people have also registered to door knock every home in the area, when restrictions allow, to get signatures and inform them of the project.

“We are a country village within Melbourne, it is a secret pocket with a small shopping strip.

“We just need rail under road so our beautiful village can stay like that.”

Another local resident, registered nurse Illona McArthur, said she was worried passing commuters would see into her home.

“I am horrified that this is being considered for Parkdale station and residents are all outraged by the idea,” Ms McArthur said.

“There is no way we can enjoy sitting under an ugly concrete monstrosity like a sky rail,” she said.

Beth Cregan, 56, said consultation has “not just been skipped, it’s been legislated against”.

Ms Cregan said residents would prefer an underground station similar to the designs slated for Aspendale or Edithvale.